- University News Archive - Vlogý Little Rock /news-archive/tag/university-district-development-corporation/ Vlogý Little Rock Fri, 22 Oct 2021 13:17:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Citizens Banks Supports Affordable Housing with $5K Donation to University District Development Corporation /news-archive/2021/10/22/citizens-banks-donation-development-corporation/ Fri, 22 Oct 2021 13:17:23 +0000 /news/?p=80129 ... Citizens Banks Supports Affordable Housing with $5K Donation to University District Development Corporation]]> University District Development Corporation, based at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, to fund affordable housing efforts within the University District area. The University District Development Corporation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing affordable housing and making neighborhood improvements within the University District. “This donation will help support our affordable housing operations,” said Barrett Allen, director of University District Development Corporation. “It will be used to purchase vacant lots in the city where we will build single family homes or duplexes for people in need of housing to purchase or rent.” seeks charitable sponsorships that create valuable, unique, and memorable experiences for its customers, colleagues, and communities. Citizens Bank has a longstanding legacy of making gifts with meaningful and impactful community economic development efforts. “This donation is a small glimpse into a broader initiative by Citizens Bank to expand our investments in community development projects,” said Vernon Scott, regional president at Citizens Bank. “We are dedicated to impacting our state by going Beyond Banking, and this partnership is a true example of that.” The University District area includes several urban neighborhoods that surround Vlogý Little Rock, the metropolitan region’s only major university. These neighborhoods include Broadmoor, Fair Park, Four Corners, North Broadmoor, Point O’ Woods, South of Asher, University Park, University West, and War Memorial. In the upper right photo, Citizens Bank representatives present a $5,000 donation to the University District Development Corporation to help with affordable housing efforts within University District. Pictured from left to right are Lisa Davis of Batesville, community reinvestment act officer and senior vice president, managing director of enterprise risk management, of Citizens Bank; Barrett Allen of Little Rock, executive director of University District Development Corporation; and Vernon Scott of Little Rock, regional president of Citizens Bank.  ]]> Building Black Communities Fund Awards University District Development Corporation $25,000 Grant to Provide Affordable Housing /news-archive/2021/07/01/university-district-building-black-communities/ Thu, 01 Jul 2021 14:04:29 +0000 /news/?p=79306 ... Building Black Communities Fund Awards University District Development Corporation $25,000 Grant to Provide Affordable Housing]]> The University District Development Corporation (UDDC), based at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, has been awarded a $25,000 Building Black Communities Fund grant from the Arkansas Black Philanthropy Collaborative and the Arkansas Community Foundation. UDDC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing affordable housing and making neighborhood improvements within the University District. The grant funds, which are provided by Facebook, Inc., will be used to support affordable housing for residents within University District between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022. “UDDC is grateful to the Arkansas Black Philanthropy Collaborative and the Arkansas Community Foundation for their investment in the University District,” UDDC Director Barrett Allen said. “This is a great example of partners working together to provide safe, decent, and affordable homes for families to purchase in the University District. UDDC is delighted the funds will be used to support the development and construction of seven new single family affordable housing units.” Arkansas Community Foundation is one of 20 community foundations in the U.S. selected to receive funding from Facebook, Inc. to manage grant making to support Black communities and Black-led nonprofits. This commitment is part of Facebook’s broader $1.1 billion investment in Black and diverse suppliers and communities in the U.S. The Community Foundation, in partnership with the Arkansas Black Philanthropy Collaborative, provided grants of up to $25,000 to support programs and initiatives specifically designed to impact Black people and communities in the Little Rock metropolitan area, which includes Pulaski, Saline, Perry, Grant, Faulkner, and Lonoke Counties. UDDC is one of 40 Black-led and Black-serving nonprofit organizations in central Arkansas to receive a grant from the Build Black Communities Fund. “Facebook, Inc. provided the funding, the Community Foundation provided the infrastructure to make the grants and Black leaders in Central Arkansas determined which nonprofits received them,” said Heather Larkin, president and CEO of Arkansas Community Foundation. Grant recipients are awarded to nonprofits serving in small business support and economic development, community improvement, human services and basic needs, civil rights, social action, leadership development and capacity building, education, health, and arts/culture/humanities. “This significant grant funding will empower Black-led organizations to amplify their voice in the giving space,” said Derek Lewis of the Black Philanthropy Collaborative. “All 40 grant recipients were able to demonstrate established relationships and a good track record of working on activities that impact Black communities.” The Building Black Communities Fund Advisory Committee members include Kandice Bell, Office of the Governor Asa Hutchinson; Joyvin Benton, Winthrop Rockefeller Institute; Alyson Bradford, State Farm; Tamika Edwards, Central Arkansas Water; Charlotte Green, Arkansas Imagination Library; Rev. Shantell Hill, Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation; Derek Lewis II, Derek Lewis Foundation and Arkansas Black Philanthropy Collaborative; Kendra Pruitt, Office of Mayor Frank Scott; Charles Stewart, Arkansas Black Hall of Fame; Kara Wilkins, Arkansas Black Philanthropy Collaborative; and Darrin Williams, Southern Bancorp.]]> U.S. Bank donates $150,000 to University District as part of its $15 million Rebuild and Transform Fund /news-archive/2020/09/24/u-s-bank-university-district/ Thu, 24 Sep 2020 13:50:35 +0000 /news/?p=77577 ... U.S. Bank donates $150,000 to University District as part of its $15 million Rebuild and Transform Fund]]> U.S. Bank has awarded the (UDDC), based at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, a three-year $150,000 grant to support programs that provide affordable housing. The grant is part of its $15 million U.S. Bank Foundation Rebuild and Transform Fund, addressing rebuilding in corridors impacted by social unrest and systemic racial inequities in small business, housing and workforce advancement. The fund is part of the bank’s previously announced to address social and economic inequities. “Our focus is on listening to and learning from community leaders and responding to critical needs,” said Marcos Hernandez, community affairs manager for the Little Rock Region at U.S. Bank. “Today we are proud to share the details of our philanthropic giving to 10 additional markets across the country that, historically, experience low economic mobility. We are investing in organizations led by people of color and providing general operating funds because we trust community leaders to know how, when and where to use these funds for the greatest impact.” University District Development Corporation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing affordable housing and making neighborhood improvements within the University District. The grant funds will be used to support affordable housing and community development activities in University District. “To address the civil unrest that we’ve seen in our community, UDDC will continue its efforts to improve the viability of housing stock and amenities in the University District,” said Barrett Allen, UDDC executive director. “This gift from U.S. Bank allows us to get more families into homes and strengthen a sense of community.” University District is one of 48 organizations across the country receiving funding from the U.S. Bank Foundation Rebuild and Transform Fund. In the Little Rock area, U.S. Bank also donated a grant of $100,000 to Positive Atmosphere Reaches Kids (PARK), which will use the grant to support youth and mentorship initiatives.
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In the upper right photo, Vlogý Little Rock social work graduate Cadie Foscue is one of the Little Rock residents whobought her house in 2019 through the University District first time homebuyer program. Photo by Ben Krain.]]> University District receives $76,500 match grant to boost affordable housing program /news-archive/2020/09/08/university-district-bank-grant/ Tue, 08 Sep 2020 16:48:32 +0000 /news/?p=77326 ... University District receives $76,500 match grant to boost affordable housing program]]> University District received a $76,500 matching grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) Partnership Grant Program. University District received donations totaling $16,500 from five banks – Arvest Bank, BancorpSouth, Simmons Bank, First Security Bank, and Bank OZK. FHLB Dallas generously matched the grants for $60,000. “We are so grateful for this grant,” said Barrett Allen, executive director of University District. “We are so grateful to FHLB Dallas and our local banks for continuing their support of providing affordable housing during the pandemic.” Through this unique grant program, FHLB Dallas member institutions contribute from $500 to $6,000 to a community-based organization (CBO), which FHLB Dallas matches at a new, higher 5:1 ratio approved for 2020 only in response to COVID-19 (compared to the previous 3:1 ratio) resulting in a match of up to $30,000. If multiple member institutions contribute to the same CBO in one year, the maximum FHLB Dallas match for those member contributions is $60,000 per year. “Member institutions such as Arvest Bank used the Partnership Grant Program to not only help community organizations but also to impact populations served by the organizations,” said Greg Hettrick, first vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas. “It is an honor to work with Arvest Bank every year to provide these community-based organizations funding to continue their operations, especially during the pandemic.” University District supporter BancorpSouth said they were happy to donate because affordable housing strengthens the community. “We are pleased to support the University District Development Corporation’s efforts to create affordable housing options for people in Little Rock,” said Chris Locke, BancorpSouth president – Central Arkansas division. “At BancorpSouth, commitment to the community is a large part of who we are because we know that strong communities sustain our company, our customers, and our teammates. The work that UDDC is doing truly helps us build a stronger community.” University District plans to use the grant to begin an affordable rental program that will complement its current efforts to renovate older homes and complete new construction on lots within University District neighborhoods. “The grant from FHLB Dallas from last year allowed us to start the pre-development process for a rental program within University District,” Allen said. “This will be a new focus in our mission for affordable housing. This year’s grant will be used for acquisition and rehabilitations as well as construction of new single family homes.” U.S. Congressman French Hill and representatives from Bank OZK, First Security Bank, Arvest Bank, Simmons Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas present funds to the University District Development Corporation and to World Services for the Blind, Jan 24, 2020. Photo by Business Wire. ]]> Congressman French Hill joins banks in announcing $34K grant to University District /news-archive/2020/01/30/34k-grant-to-uddc/ Thu, 30 Jan 2020 15:00:50 +0000 /news/?p=76117 ... Congressman French Hill joins banks in announcing $34K grant to University District]]> UDDC, a nonprofit that administers a revitalization program benefiting the residential and commercial neighborhoods adjacent to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, will use the funds toward operating costs such as building maintenance, permit fees, and taxes. The ceremonial check presentation took place at a community development roundtable hosted Jan. 24 in Little Rock by FHLB Dallas and attended by local dignitaries. A $475,000 Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grant was also presented to , a nonprofit that operates one of the most comprehensive rehabilitation centers in the world for the blind and visually impaired. “UDDC is an organization that does great work for the betterment of the Little Rock community,” Congressman Hill said. “The work they do cannot be done without the financial support of institutions like Bank OZK, Arvest, First Security Bank, Simmons Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas.” The grant will go a long way toward UDDC expenses. “The Partnership Grant Program gives certain flexibility to organizations. It allows us to partner with FHLB Dallas members and apply those funds to impact the community,” said UDDC Executive Director Barrett Allen. “The PGP helps fill a critical gap for nonprofits and I’m thankful for the program.” This is UDDC’s third PGP grant. “There is an undeniable need for affordable housing and Bank OZK is honored and appreciates working with organizations like UDDC to address this need in the community,” said Lasha Marshall, community development manager for Bank OZK. Andrea Lewis, assistant vice president, community outreach/business development and marketing at First Security Bank, said the bank is honored to help provide funds that will be reinvested in Little Rock. “First Security Bank is very grateful to serve the community,” said Lewis. “We are proud to work with the UDDC to invest in the communities we serve and build relationships.” Jim Cargill, president and CEO of Arvest Bank in central, northeast and southwest Arkansas, said the PGP will help restore the Little Rock community. “This is a necessary endeavor that will restore the university area to the vibrant community it was only a few decades ago,” said Cargill. “The support we provide our neighbors often returns to us tenfold in the form of more hopeful and successful individuals, and stronger communities altogether. We share the mission of the UDDC of investing in people, as well as our city.” Martie North, senior vice president and director of community development at Simmons Bank, said the PGP is an important part of relationship building in their community. “Affordable housing is the cornerstone for strong and vibrant communities. The UDDC works hard every day to provide quality housing that is affordable and attractive within the University District,” said North. “Investing in the communities in which we operate, work and play is a priority of Simmons Bank. The FHLB Dallas Partnership Grant provides us a wonderful opportunity to financially support organizations like the UDDC in their efforts to strengthen our communities. We believe in the work the UDDC is doing and value our partnership.” With the PGP, FHLB Dallas member institutions like Bank OZK, First Security Bank, Arvest Bank and Simmons Bank contribute $500 to $4,000 to a community-based organization (CBO), which FHLB Dallas matches at a 3:1 ratio. In 2019, FHLB Dallas awarded $300,000 in PGP funds through 25 member institutions to assist 27 CBOs. Combined with FHLB Dallas member contributions, a total of $442,500 has been awarded to the organizations. “We are very thankful to our members Bank OZK, First Security Bank, Arvest Bank and Simmons Bank and Congressman Hill for showing support in the community,” said Greg Hettrick, first vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas. “FHLB Dallas is honored to partner with these institutions and continue to create affordable housing options for Little Rock residents.”  ]]> Vlogý Little Rock alum becomes homeowner through University District affordable housing program /news-archive/2019/10/23/alum-homeowner-university-district-program/ Wed, 23 Oct 2019 14:14:07 +0000 /news/?p=75309 ... Vlogý Little Rock alum becomes homeowner through University District affordable housing program]]> A University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduate has achieved her dream of becoming a homeowner with the help of the University District’s First Time Homebuyer Program. Cadie Foscue, a May graduate of Vlogý Little Rock’s Master of Social Work program who now works as a social impact analyst at the in Little Rock, had dreamt of the stability of a permanent home ever since she was a child. “As someone whose parents are divorced, I grew up traveling between houses,” Foscue said. “The finality of owning a home and not having to worry about where I am going to live next year is freeing. Having a home offers you stability and freedom.” The path to homeownership for many Millennials is often delayed by student loan debt and low starting wages. The homeownership rate among those ages 25 to 34 is 8 percent lower than the baby boomers and 8.4 percent lower than Generation X, according to . The need-based First Time Homebuyer Program addresses the affordable housing crisis by providing first-time homebuyers up to $20,000 for down payment and closing costs to purchase a home constructed or renovated by University District. The First Time Homebuyer Program is financed through the city of Little Rock with funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development HUD HOME Program. “We believe that anyone making a prevailing wage should be able to live in University District at an affordable price, and we work with all the neighborhood associations who make up University District to make this a reality,” said Barrett Allen, executive director of University District. Foscue, who closed on her home on Aug. 17, purchased the 1,400-square-foot home with three bedrooms and two baths for $125,000. She received a $15,000 subsidy from University District that covered her down payment and closing costs, costs that might have prevented her from owning a home for many years. Now, Foscue is the proud owner of her home in the University District’s Midtown Neighborhood, northeast of Vlogý Little Rock’s campus, where she lives with her miniature Doxin Dachshund, Jessie, and two cats, Ashe and Moira. “The program allows for young people like me to live in more affordable houses in the district. I think that’s really beautiful,” she said. “I already feel like part of the neighborhood, and I love it when people say, ‘Hi Cadie,’ as I drive in my car with the windows rolled down.” Foscue learned about University District’s housing program last year after Laura Danforth, Vlogý Little Rock assistant professor of social work, sent Foscue and her class to Allen to find out about local community organizations where they could volunteer. “In my macro social work course, student groups are able to engage in transformative, experiential learning by partnering with a local community agency to help facilitate organizational or community change-effort planning,” Danforth said. “Students in the past couple of years have helped develop a database for the trauma-informed child care center at St. Luke’s Methodist Church and have worked with the University District office to increase Vlogý Little Rock faculty engagement in non-traditional service learning projects. These students are passionate and hungry for experience, and the community partners within the University District have been great to work with!” Foscue’s group volunteered with St. Luke’s United Methodist Church to research adverse childhood experiences. “We got connected with St. Luke’s because we wanted to work with people who had experienced adverse childhood experiences,” Foscue said. “They are running a program to help people in the area who experienced childhood trauma. We wrote a paper on how adverse childhood experiences impact people on a multi-generational level.” During this time, Foscue met Allen and learned about the district’s efforts to support affordable housing in the area. “Earlier this year, my lease was coming up, and I was fantasizing about buying a home since I was about to graduate,” Foscue said. “I was so impassioned by working with University District during my social work project. I remembered that University District had just finished building some houses, but I had never seen them. I searched Zillow and marked three of my favorite houses in the area. I remember thinking, ‘Wouldn’t it be funny if they are the University District houses?” It turns out that one of the Foscue’s favorite houses was a University District house. In fact, Foscue only toured one home with her realtor, Kerrie Joiner, because it was love at first sight. “I went and saw the house, and I was in love with it,” Foscue said. “We didn’t even look at the other two I marked on Zillow. Driving around the house, I knew it was the right choice.” Now that Foscue has the home of her dreams, she said her priorities have shifted, and she’s now focused on maintaining her home for the future. “I take a lot of pride in owning a home,” she said. “One of my friends said the definition of being an adult is owning a home. It does shift your priorities. Instead of saving money for a vacation, my primary focus is to save money for maintaining my home and making it my own. I know I want to go to Disney World. Instead of going on a vacation that will be fun for a week, I’ll buy a fence that will hopefully last forever. Then I can get another dog. That is just as good as Disney World.” ]]> University District hosts weekly farmers markets for summer season /news-archive/2019/05/29/university-district-farmers-market-2/ Wed, 29 May 2019 15:49:58 +0000 /news/?p=74448 ... University District hosts weekly farmers markets for summer season]]> Summer is back, and that means the return of weekly farmers markets at University District. The Development Corporation will host the University District Farmers Market every week until Sept. 26 to promote healthier eating through access to fresh fruits and vegetables. The farmers markets will be held from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. every Thursday in the University of Arkansas at Little Rock University Plaza Parking Lot at 5820 Asher Ave. In addition to fresh fruits and vegetables, the markets will feature crafts, plants, prizes, and healthy food demonstrations. SNAP customers can receive up to $20 worth of fresh fruits and vegetables when they use their EBT card to make an initial purchase. For more information, contact Angela Armstrong at 501-682-9528 or uddc.community@gmail.com.]]> Vlogý Little Rock to host Growing Health Communities Wellness Fair Oct. 27 /news-archive/2018/10/26/ua-little-rock-to-host-growing-health-communities-wellness-fair-oct-27/ Fri, 26 Oct 2018 13:42:00 +0000 /news/?p=72452 ... Vlogý Little Rock to host Growing Health Communities Wellness Fair Oct. 27]]> Vlogý Little Rock will host its eighth annual Growing Healthy Communities Wellness Fair on Saturday, Oct. 27. The fair will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Donaghey Student Center Fitness Center. The event is open to all University District residents. Participating university district residents who are 18 and older will receive a free one-year gym membership to the Donaghey Student Center Fitness Center. Visitors to the fair can participate in health assessments to identify risks and learn ways to improve their health. They can also participate in blood pressure and glucose screenings and receive flu vaccinations, free healthy snacks, tote bags, and water bottles. The wellness fair is sponsored by Vlogý Little Rock, University District Development Corporation, AARP, American Beverage Association, Arkansas Minority Health Commission, Arkansas Coalition for Obesity Prevention, and Pepsi. Participants can register for the event online. Call 501-683-7356 for more information.]]> University District hosts weekly farmers markets during the summer /news-archive/2018/05/16/university-district-hosts-weekly-farmers-markets-summer/ Wed, 16 May 2018 13:36:46 +0000 /news/?p=70543 ... University District hosts weekly farmers markets during the summer]]> University District Development Corporation will hold weekly farmers markets this summer to promote healthier eating through access to fresh fruits and vegetables. The farmers markets will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Thursday from May 10 to Sept. 27 in the University of Arkansas at Little Rock University Plaza Parking Lot at 5820 Asher Ave. In addition to fresh fruits and vegetables, the markets will feature crafts, plants, prizes, and healthy food demonstrations. For more information, contact Angela Armstrong at 501-682-9528 or uddc.community@gmail.com.]]>