SU Social Research gets $600K grant to enhance local community

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has granted the Southern University Center for Social Research $600,000 to assist with the Southern University “Building Stronger Communities” project to enhance the Scotlandville area.The project consists of a collaboration effort between various local organizations including the Corporation for National Service, responsible for AmeriCorps VISTA, Scotlandville CDC, Community Against Drugs and Violence, Greater King David Baptist Church, Baton Rouge Green, Baton Rouge Black Chamber of Commerce, Young-Horton Realty Company and the City of Baton Rouge/Parish of East Baton Rouge Office of Community Development.”This three year interaction would bring the community and the students of Southern University together,” said William Hawn, the HUD program manager for Southern’s Center of Social Research. According to a recent press release, the project focuses on renovating homes, improving communities by insisting residents achieve cleaner and safer neighborhoods, improving home ownership opportunities through first-time buyer, home retention and home maintenance programs and increasing the capacity of faith-based and community-based organizations serving low-to-moderate income persons.”The students participating presented some ideas to the residents surrounding SU and the residents really liked it,” said Hawn.Hawn said the project will strengthen the bond between Southern students and the Scotlandville community.”There are a lot of very old homes that are well documented and need to be kept up,” said Hawn. “This can clear the back log for people in need of home renovations”The school of architecture will also be assisting in the program along with the support of the various fraternities and sororities on the SU campus, said Hawn. Although $600,000 may not be enough to give the Scotlandville community a complete facelift, Hawn said it’s a great start in beatifying the community.”We have already gotten the attention of other agencies and hopefully the government will pitch in and assist,” said Hawn. For more information about the SU-BS project and how students can help, contact the Southern University Center for Social Research.