New Kensington CDC

The New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC) is a non-profit organization which services the Fishtown, East Kensington, and lower Port Richmond neighborhoods of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

New Kensington Community Development Corporations (NKCDC)'s mission is "to work collaboratively with the community to enhance the physical environment, increase the economic vitality and improve the quality of life for everyone."

In existence for over twenty years, the organization was founded in 1985 by the leadership of the local civic association to meet the housing needs of the community. The first ten years were concentrated on rehabilitating vacant homes and providing housing counseling services. After a 1995 neighborhood planning process, NKCDC began addressing other quality of life issues as well. The organization added a land use management program in 1996 and an economic development program in 1999. In 2001, NKCDC became the OHCD-funded Neighborhood Advisory Committee for its community.

Today, NKCDC has developed into a community development corporation with a multi-faceted approach. Our efforts have made great impacts on neighborhood revitalization. Each year NKCDC serves more than 10,000 low- and moderate-income families and 22,000 residents. NKCDC accomplishes its mission through 5 program areas:

1) The Economic Development program seeks to further local business development in order to create jobs and community wealth. The department maintains a database of 600 local businesses and organized 60 of these businesses into a business association; maintains an inventory of vacant property to match businesses with suitable locations; helps entrepreneurs identify and obtain needed services and funds; and publishes a yearly local business directory. The department is using arts as a vehicle for economic stimulation by creating an arts corridor. This corridor is currently in implementation phases of this plan including the management of major infrastructure improvements.

2) The Real Estate Development program brings life to abandoned buildings. The department secured $7.5 million to convert a vacant factory into 27 units of artist live/work space which was completed in September 2005. Current pipeline includes 15 projects in the city of Philadelphia's consolidated plan; 4 subsidized and 10 market rate new construction units on reclaimed brownfield; and the predevelopment of the Frankford Avenue Arts Center to catalyze economic development along this divested commercial avenue.

3) The Community Organizing program works with a Neighborhood Advisory Committee, the Zoning Committee, and the East Kensington Neighbor's Association help residents voice concerns to city & state governments and conducts community meetings to provide information and address problems. Activity is concentrated in the East Kensington Neighborhood and organizing around project-specific organizing tactics including Pop's Playground, the formation and continuation of the Trenton Avenue Arts Festival and working with the Kensington High School on reorganizing and improving facilities and education.

4) The Land Use Management program creates clean and green open spaces; organizes volunteer greening projects and tree plantings; runs a community garden center; facilitates the transfer of vacant lots to side yards; and stabilizes and maintains vacant lots. Land use management is looking into a social enterprise model with the current Garden Center.

5) The Housing Counseling department expands homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income families. The department has helped more than 3,500 low- and moderate-income families purchase their first homes, and avoid foreclosure. Current concerns being addressed are foreclosure, financial literacy and increasing tax and energy costs.

NKCDC has been singled out for its exemplary programs on a national level. In 2000, the National Neighborhood Coalition selected NKCDC as one of 15 "Communities Leading the Way" in addressing regional growth issues across the country.

http://www.nkcdc.org