The Heart of Stark: Free NeighborWorks training encourages landlord & tenant collaboration

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The Stark County Neighborhood Partnership Program (SCNPP), a collaboration between Stark Community Foundation and Community Building Partnership of Stark County, is hosting its third annual NeighborWorks America Training Conference on Sept. 14 to equip residents and leaders from local neighborhoods with tools for collaboration.

The free training, led by NeighborWorks America trainer John Lehner, will consist of discussions and group activities on ways the community can work with tenants and small landlords to revitalize neighborhoods.

The event will be held in the Global Learning Center at Walsh University in North Canton from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and lunch will be provided. Seats are limited to the first 100 registrants.

With a national homeownership rate of nearly 65%, at least one in three residences are occupied by a renter in the average neighborhood — making it crucial that revitalization strategies pay close attention to rental housing to successfully sustain or create a healthy neighborhood.

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NeighborWorks America’s training explores a variety of complementary strategies to ensure a strong rental market and a well-kept rental housing stock that positively contributes to neighborhood livability and aesthetic standards.

During the conference, participants will explore ways to work with landlords and small investors to successfully manage their property for a solid return on investment.

They will discuss planning for and financing physical improvements, becoming management partners with tenants, helping tenants become engaged stakeholders by partnering with neighborhood associations and public agencies and ensuring a healthy and safe housing and community environment through enforcement mechanisms.

Since 2021, the SCNPP has improved and expanded neighborhood revitalization efforts in Stark County. The program provides neighborhood associations and community organizations with additional programming, training opportunities, community tools and financial support.

NeighborWorks, institutionalized by Congress in 1978, is the nation's leading trainer of community development and affordable housing professionals. Its offerings, which are regularly updated to reflect industry standards and current trends, serve residents and organizations.

Registration is required to attend the conference. Register at www.tinyurl.com/NeighborWorks2024 or contact Daniel Preacher, Community Building Partnership of Stark County Healthy Neighborhoods Program Manager, for more information at 330-458-0962.

The Stark Community Foundation helps individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits achieve their philanthropic goals. Learn more at www.starkcf.org .

This article originally appeared on The Repository: The Heart of Stark: Free NeighborWorks training encourages landlord & tenant collaboration