On September 18, New York State Senator Joe Robach and Interfaith Action leader John Smith jointly announced a $400,000 housing grant for the historic Jones Square neighborhood of Rochester. 

The grant, which will go towards rehabbing four properties that have a combined six residential units, is the first phase of a larger effort to refurbish the housing stock in the neighborhood.  It follows years of successful community organizing where the City West Catholic Community, an Interfaith Action member, worked with residents, city agencies and community groups to address problems such as prostitution, drug dealing, blighted housing and a run-down city park.

"I want to applaud Interfaith Action and everyone who has been involved in this project," said Senator Robach.  "You know, it's really these people who should get the credit."

Interfaith Action has been working for more than five years to revitalize the Jones Square neighborhood. City West Catholic Community, residents and community groups first conducted a design workshop to plan neighborhood changes.  With the guidance of Rochester's former city planner, residents identified housing as a key area for improvement.  Residents also formed the "Squeaky Wheel Club," banding together to call the police department and other city agencies whenever they spotted a problem.

According to resident Tony Davis, the approach worked. "We took the bad out and put the good back into our neighborhood," he explained.

Recently, Interfaith Action congregations and residents have participated in citywide community clean-ups.  Neighborhood groups have been pushing for upgrades to Jones Park, which was originally designed by Frederick Law Olmstead.  Just weeks ago, the city installed a surveillance camera that has successfully reduced prostitution in the park.

For more information on Interfaith Action, visit www.iapico.org

Media Coverage

Jones Square neighborhood poised for a renaissance
Turning around Rochester's Jones Square neighborhood