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American Planning Association - Opportunity and Empowerment

The HUD Secretary's Opportunity & Empowerment Award honors excellence in community planning that has led to measurable benefits in terms of increased economic development, employment, education, or housing choice and mobility for low- and moderate-income residents. The award stresses tangible results and recognizes the planning discipline as an important community resource. It emphasizes how creative housing, economic development, and private investments are used in, or in tandem with, a comprehensive community development plan.




American Planning Association - Opportunity and Empowerment

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Clara White Mission
 

Jacksonville, Florida

The Clara White Mission in Jacksonville, Florida is committed to eradicating chronic homelessness in blighted areas. Permanent housing, onsite training, substance abuse mediation, and mental health counseling constitute the core of this nonprofit's integrated approach. By eliciting the broad participation of peers, funders, constituents, and local government in the planning, implementation, and service delivery phases, the Clara White Mission enjoys community support for its objectives.

The HUD Secretary recognizes this nonprofit's 36-unit transitional housing project for its achievements in neighborhood revitalization, affordable housing, and economic development. The project supports workforce development and assists homeless members of the community, especially veterans and ex-offenders, providing up to 24 months of housing with supportive services while building marketable job skills tailored to demands of the local job market.