On July 28, Neighborhood Development released the 2008 Neighborhood Quality of Life Study. The biennial study details the social, crime, physical and economic conditions in 173 Neighborhood Statistical Areas (NSAs) within Charlotte and the city's future annexation areas.

The study employs 20 local variables to classify each NSA as either "Stable," "Transitional" or "Challenged." The results from the 2008 study show 90 "Stable" NSAs, 63 "Transitional" NSAs, and 20 "Challenged" NSAs.

This was a record low number of 20 "Challenged" NSAs, which exceeded Charlotte City Council's objective of 22 NSAs for 2008. For more information or to view information on your neighborhood, visit neighborhoods.charmeck.org.

With the release of the 2008 Quality of Life Study, more neighborhoods are now eligible for Neighborhood Matching Grants. One of the outcomes of the new report data is a change in the median household income eligibility for the Neighborhood Matching Grants Program. The new figure is $64,219, which represents the highest median household income of all challenged and transitioning NSAs. Therefore, more neighborhoods are eligible to apply for funding to implement projects for the benefit of the community. The application deadline is September 15. The next pre-application workshops for potential applicants are:

Saturday, August 9
9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Independence Regional Library,
6000 Conference Drive

Wednesday, August 13
6 – 8:30 p.m.
Sugar Creek Library,
4045 North Tryon Street

For more information on Neighborhood Matching Grants, visit neighborhoods.charmeck.org.

If you are behind on your mortgage payments, don't just walk away. Help could be just a phone call away. There are many alternatives to foreclosure. Learn about all your options through United Family Services'  free counseling services. Alternatives include:

• Repayment plan
• Special forbearance
• Loan modification
• Partial claims
• Pre-foreclosure sale
• Deed-in-lieu
• Reverse mortgage

For more information, call 866.230.0956 today.

Searching for ways to strengthen your neighborhood? Register for Community University, a training program with classes and course topics designed to increase your knowledge and skills of neighborhood organizations. Here is this summer's schedule:

Friday, August 8—Community Improvement Projects
Friday, August 15—Inside the Quality of Life Study

8:30 – 10 a.m.
First Mount Zion Baptist Church,
1515 Remount Road 

For more information or to register online, visit the Community University web site. You can also e-mail neighservs@ci.charlotte.nc.us or call 704.336.2061 to register for the Community University workshops. If your neighborhood has a specific need, you can arrange for a customized training workshop as well.

City Source, the City's news show, returns from hiatus on Thursday, August 7th.  Instead of airing weekly, City Source will now air bi-weekly at 7 p.m. on The Government Channel—Cable 16 with more comprehensive stories to give greater insight into the City of Charlotte.  You also may view the shows online at www.charmeck.org by clicking on The Government Channel logo.