APA / September 17, 2021
BACK TO SCHOOL: THE INEXTRICABLE LINK BETWEEN HOUSING & EDUCATION
Guided by the philosophy that the success of the school and the success of the neighborhood are inextricably linked, the Community Learning Center Institute (CLCI) based in Cincinnati, Ohio is an emerging leader in school-centered community revitalization, whereby neighborhood reinvestment focuses on improving academic outcomes for children by addressing neighborhood variables that impact school performance, such as health, housing, blight, and crime.
Adelyn Hall, the Director of the Community Learning Center Institute’s Housing and Neighborhood Development initiative, was the featured speaker at a virtual APA program on September 17. Hall this session, the Community Learning Center Institute will led a discussion on the connection between housing and education, as well as share CLCI’s work on stabilizing neighborhoods based on this model
Highlighted in Hall’s presentation was her facilitation of a multi-year, intensive community engagement process with the historic neighborhood of Lower Price Hill, anchored by the Oyler Community Learning Center where CLCI is the lead partner. As a result of the highly participatory process, Hall produced the Lower Price Hill Resurgency Plan which was adopted as the official neighborhood plan by the City of Cincinnati.
Based upon the plan, Hall galvanized a broad network of private and public partners and funders who committed more than $35 million to restore the neighborhood, including affordable rental housing, homeownership, new industry, and quality of life improvements including a new nonprofit grocery store. Housed in the Oyler Community Learning Center are key partners that serve the neighborhood, including a comprehensive health center, vision center, and dental clinic as well a year round early childhood education center.