Health-focused revitalization efforts in Roanoke, Virginia through cross-sector partnerships

A Neighborhood Ripe for Revitalization

Roanoke, Virginia’s West End neighborhood was historically among the most vibrant and impassioned communities in the city. More recently typified by high rates of crime, poverty, poor health outcomes, and financial insecurity, West End was deemed a “target rejuvenation neighborhood” by the City of Roanoke in 2011. This story, similar to other marginalized communities across the country, prompted CDFI Freedom First Credit Union to participate in the city’s rejuvenation efforts to stabilize the most at-risk households in the neighborhood.

In recognizing that non-financial factors– such as access to healthy food, education, and healthcare – are significant components of a stable household, as a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), Freedom First is committed to enhancing quality of life across the Roanoke community. Leveraged by resident input and community health data provided by Carilion Clinic (the region’s largest healthcare system) and Roanoke College (an academic anchor institution), Freedom First developed a plan to comprehensively address the West End community’s needs.

An Approach and an Anchor

Fueling the successful redevelopment of the West End neighborhood was the City of Roanoke’s unique approach to funding revitalization efforts. Concentrated in target residential corridors for 5-year periods, HUD funds are allocated to enhance the availability of affordable housing, support home renovations, and encourage community improvement projects. By prioritizing these funds in targeted areas, this approach nurtures cross-sector engagement by maximizing the impact of partner investments in the neighborhood.

Using data to guide the development of a neighborhood anchor project, Freedom First Credit Union became a central partner in the West End neighborhood’s revitalization efforts. In response to overwhelming resident reports concerning the need for enhanced access to affordable, healthy foods, Freedom First cultivated a partnership with Local Environmental Agricultural Project (LEAP) to construct a new Credit Union branch housing a community meeting space, commercial kitchen, and permanent infrastructure to support a farmers market. As a result of this unique partnership, the West End Station is a resource hub, enhancing access to financial services, healthy foods, and workforce readiness and entrepreneurial programs.

CDFIs Enable “Zip Code Improvement”

The revitalization efforts in Roanoke’s West End featured a unique blend of cross-sector partnerships between local government, private and public companies, the local food system, and the region’s largest CDFI, Freedom First Credit Union.

“We have a responsibility to improve the communities where our members live, work and play. The West End and surrounding neighborhoods deserve the same access to affordable banking services as everyone,” said Paul Phillips, president and CEO of Freedom First. According to Phillips, West End Village Station exemplifies how public and private entities can, and should, work together to create positive change. “To be able to provide these services while paving the way for other life-improving opportunities is core to our mission.”

The West End Village Station project was made possible through a combination of CDFI funding and HUD Community Development Block Grant funds from the city of Roanoke, nearing $1.2 million. “The investment that Freedom First has made in this neighborhood is admirable, and fundamental to future revitalization efforts,” said Chris Morrill, Roanoke City Manager. “This initiative is a shining example of what can be accomplished through innovative planning and collaboration.”

In total, private and public investment exceeding $17.2 million has been infused into the neighborhood to rehabilitate homes, install new storm drainage and street lamps, and repair and extend sidewalks. Since 2014, the West End neighborhood has experienced dramatic improvements in several key indicators, including perceived access to healthy food and neighborhood crime. Total crime offenses have decreased by 10% and graffiti complaints completely disappeared.

Investing in the Future

The cross-sector partnerships cultivated through the West End Station project continue to flourish. In 2016, the City of Roanoke was selected by Reinvestment Fund and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to take part in the Invest Health Initiative, a program that leverages cross-sector partnerships to incite new strategies for private and public investments in neighborhoods facing the greatest barriers to health.

Dr. Liz Ackley, Associate Professor at Roanoke College and Invest Health project lead, recognizes the important role of Freedom First in moving this project forward. “We are fortunate to have Freedom First partnering in this initiative, because they understand the complex relationships between social determinants of health, with access to financial resources as one key aspect. We’ve seen their success in financing projects in other areas of the city and appreciate the holistic approach they use in community development. That kind of commitment is both rare and important.”

With a focus on food insecurity in Roanoke’s Northwest neighborhood, stakeholders involved in the West End Village Station project are reuniting to share resources and expertise in new, unprecedented ways. Nationwide, CDFI’s must continue to make these types of activities and investments hallmarks of their mission.