Revitalizing Neighborhoods to

Break the Cycle of Poverty

Kids Unlimited, Medford, Oregon

March 30, 2017
Intergenerational Urban Poverty

One of the most urgent

domestic challenges facing
our country
We estimate there are
approximately 825 highly-
distressed
neighborhoods in metro
regions across the country
(at least 40% of population
lives below poverty line)

Neighborhoods with high

concentrations of poverty 2
(Dallas-Fort Worth area pictured here)
Introduction to Purpose Built Communities
Working to end Intergenerational Urban Poverty in the
United States
Free consulting services
Staff of Consultants with a range of skill-sets
Mixed Income Housing
Government
Real Estate
Education
Nonprofit and Organizational Effectiveness
Offices in Atlanta and Oakland
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Purpose Built Communities Model

Transform the place so the people can

thrive
Build high-quality mixed-income housing
Create a seamless cradle to college
education pipeline that prepares every
child for a lifetime of success
Introduce community wellness programs
and facilities (e.g., YMCA, health clinics,
urban gardens, etc.) tailored to the
specific needs of the neighborhood
Create a community quarterback to
assure accountability, sustainability and
excellence

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The Purpose Built Communities
Network
Prospective Purpose Built
Communities
Poverty and place are tied together in America
12.4 million Americans live in neighborhoods devastated by
concentrated poverty
Failing schools, high crime, high unemployment, substandard housing
72% increase in the number of people living in high poverty
neighborhoods since 2000
Zip code has become the most accurate predictor of academic,
economic and health outcomes
50% of low income children live in concentrated poverty with
86% of 3rd graders unable to read at grade level
Everyone impacted by the effects of living in concentrated
poverty

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Poverty, Place and Health
Inequities

The average life

expectancy for
babies born to
mothers in New
Orleans can vary
by as much as 25
years across
neighborhoods just
a few miles apart.

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The human and economic costs of childhood poverty affect everyone.

It is estimated that childhood

poverty
Raises health Raises the cost Reduces productivity and
expenditures by of crime by economic output by

$150 $160 $160

billion billion billion

The total costs to the United States associated

with childhood poverty equals

$500 billion per year 9

Sources: Center for American Progress (2007)
In 1993, Tom Cousins read an op ed in the New York Times

70% of New York State prison inmates came

from just 8 neighborhoods in New York City

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.. and wondered whether it was
also true for Atlanta

East Lake Meadows

18X national crime rate with
$35M drug trade
40% of housing units
uninhabitable
5% of 5th graders meeting
state math standards and
30% high school graduation
rate
Median income $4500 with
only 13% of adults working
 So he decided to lead an effort to
transform the neighborhood

Atlanta

Target area of
investment (less than 1
Kirkwood
square mile)
East Lake

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Replaced concentrated low-income
housing with mixed-income housing

Partnered with the Atlanta

Housing Authority to turn East
Lake Meadows into the Villages
of East Lake, a mixed income
housing development
High standards in design,
development, and operation
Attracted over $300M in
additional investment to the
neighborhood
Public housing residents
incomes 5x higher

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Implemented a cradle-to-college education pipeline

Replaced low- Launched Drew Expanded high Educational support

performing Charter School site quality early services focused on
elementary school based decisions, learning (0-4) literacy, after school
experienced staff, programs and college
rigorous curriculum preparation
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Promoted community wellness with quality amenities
and support services

Opened a full First Tee of East Opened Publix Resident Support

service YMCA Lake Program Grocery Store, Services, East Lake
Opened bank Healthy Connections,
branches - SunTrust Community Learning
and Wells Fargo Garden
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 Residents were actively involved in
the planning process

Engaged in decision-making
Held leadership roles
throughout planning
Given first choice for
relocation
Given priority for new
apartments in housing
development
Set standards and
expectations

Eva Davis, former president of the East Lake 16

Meadows Tenant Association
Created a Community Quarterback
Organization

Newly formed non-profit with a

single focus
Ensures that all programs are
connected, coordinated and
seamless
Ensures high quality programming
Ensures people in the target
neighborhood are the ones served
Braids a sustainable funding
stream
Serves as a single point of
accountability

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Students have shown tremendous improvement
Percentage of Drew 4th graders who meet or exceed
standards (2013)
100% 100% 99%
100%

75%

50% 44%
31%
25% 21%

0%
Reading Math Language Arts

Drew moved from the 69th ranked school (last place in 2000-
01) in the APS system to the 1st ranked elementary school
and the 3rd ranked middle school
Source: GA Department of Education (CRCT scores 2013);.
They perform on par with the highest achieving schools in Atlanta

FRL % 61.7 10.8 7.3 7.8 15.0 19.1 12.5

Average List Price 268K 1.8 M 1.8 M 457K 649K 1.2 M 484K
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Source: GA Department of Education CRCT data, Governors Office of Student Achievement, enrollment data, 2012-3
http://www.trulia.com/real_estate/Atlanta-Georgia/09/18/2014
FRL students outperform local and state non-FRL students, eliminating the
achievement gap
% Meets or Exceeds on the CRCT
Elementary School (grades 3-5) all subjects,
2012-3

District State

Note: 1712 schools with CRCT data includes elementary and middle schools, CRCT assesses students in grades 3 8)
Source: GA Department of Education CRCT data, Governors Office of Student Achievement, 2012-3
 Drews improvement over time has been consistent,
slow and steady.

Since 2010, Drews CRCT performance across all

subjects has reached and maintained the
highest levels.
21 Source: GA Department of Education CRCT data, Governors Office of Student Achievement, 2000-1 through 2012-3
The entire neighborhood has benefitted

East Lake and the The gain in existing New grocery store, New and more
surrounding community home prices in East bank branches and varied housing
has attracted ~ $300M
Lake residents 4x retail options
in new private
larger than that options
investment
realized by the
typical Atlanta home
Early successes indicate model is replicable
New Orleans

New Orleans Built 685 mixed- Opened Educare Early Launched support
Bayou District - income apartment Learning Center; New services, health clinic,
homes; plans for 900 High School opening First Tee program; City
2005
total (300 public, 300 soon; plans for K-8 Park redevelopment
low-income, 300 Charter School and underway; plans for
market rate) New High School grocery store, YMCA 23
Purpose Built Communities Model

Transform the place so the people can

thrive
Build high-quality mixed-income housing
Create a seamless cradle to college
education pipeline that prepares every
child for a lifetime of success
Introduce community wellness programs
and facilities (e.g., YMCA, health clinics,
urban gardens, etc.) tailored to the
specific needs of the neighborhood
Create a community quarterback to
assure accountability, sustainability and
excellence
The Secret to Success is the Community Quarterback

Newly formed non-profit with a single focus

Ensures that all programs are connected,
coordinated and seamless
Ensures high quality programming
Ensures people in the target neighborhood are the
ones served
Braids a sustainable funding stream
Serves as a single point of accountability
This is the Purpose Built Difference
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Replication requires the right building blocks

Strong private Housing - sufficient Education - Potential Partnerships- best in

leadership scale for neighborhood for direct local control class organizations
transformation; of schools; Preference who are committed
committed to Economically viable for neighborhood to Purpose Builts
holistic model surrounding area; children to attend holistic model
Sufficient funding schools
resources for
Thank You!
Contact Us

Purpose Built (404) 591-1400

Communities (877) 205-7481 (toll free)
3445 Peachtree Road, NE
Suite 175
Melissa Devereaux Vice President
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
mdevereaux@purposebuiltcommunities.org

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