Strengths

Strong volunteer base
Solid group of Single and Two-Family homes, 2 areas of specific affordable apartments
Hamlin Park has a range of resources located in or close: 8 Churches, Former YMCA, Boys & Girls Club, Head Start Centers, 4 Day Care Centers, 2 business districts, Public Library, 2 Public Schools (K-8), NFTA, Apollo Center, Challenger Newspaper, NAACP Headquarters, Black Achievers Museum, Workforce Development Center, Comprehensive Center for Special Needs Employees, Small Business Center and 3 Banks locations
Wide range of private sector resources – Cansius College, National Grid, Sisters Hospital, TOPS Supermarket, 5 small corner stores, 2 music schools, historic cemetery, food pantry
Board has diverse views and ideas
Continuing communications with City, County and State governments
Designated central headquarters
New families moving into neighborhood
Strong participation in big events
Historic Preservation District

Weaknesses

Poor cross-neighborhood communications (word of mouth, Internet, etc.) regarding available services, programs, and protective help
Not enough interest by neighbors to serve on Board or Block Clubs
Low participation in ongoing neighborhood activities
Areas of neighborhood lack regular attention such as high-traffic corners and backyards
Low level investment by banks for mortgages, home improvement loans and free- standing beautification initiatives
Decreasing number of block clubs and leaders
Neighbors often feel like they are alone in addressing problems
Lack of leadership training programs for new potential leaders
Unreliable infrastructure – high water table throughout neighborhood electrical “Brown-Outs, dangling electrical sidewalk fixtures, unreliable internet services
Loud, high pollution producing Route #33 expressway has led to sicknesses and deaths of many residents
Lack of retail services causing residents to seek services outside of the neighborhood
Rental by investors of homes that do not meet City Codes to unprepared tenants
Local Housing laws/Policies and Housing Court not able to respond to current challenges

Building of In-fill homes district-wide
Welcome strategies with on-going coaching of tenants regarding home safety and maintenance
Drawing new businesses to Jefferson Avenue that reflect the range of absent services such as laundromats, women’s clothing and/or in-dining restaurants, small postal service
Coordinated support for long-term homeowners and tenants to bring homes up to City Code and specific services that assist elderly to AGE-IN-PLACE
Designated team of volunteers and partners to maintain high traffic areas and play areas
Increased neighborhood support of Hamlin Park neighborhood schools
Improvements to electrical grid and internet services
Improved Housing Policies and redirection of Housing Court that allows neighborhoods to assist in maintaining housing stock and community peace

Aging housing structures along with advancing average age of neighborhood homeowners
Crime and drugs increasing deepening FEAR among all residents
Lack of trust among long time and new homeowners
Turnover of homes to renters not prepared to be caretakers of properties and land
No real economic development plan driven by neighborhood residents
Political climate stirs little investment in the neighborhood
High pressure on homeowners to sell properties with increasing scams by those seeking to buy properties from elderly homeowners
Illegal squatters
Non-kept lawns, backyards, garages, street corners and vacant structures
Neighborhood members disconnected from education resources that reduces support of leaders, teachers, parents, and programs