275053 Healthy People 2020: A public-private partnership addressing health and safety in blighted neighborhoods

Monday, October 29, 2012 : 1:10 PM - 1:30 PM

Deborah McColloch , Director of Housing at Office of Housing and Community Development, Philadelphia, PA
Background: The Philadelphia LandCare Program (PLP) is a unique public-private partnership; PLP is a city-funded and directed program managed by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS). Objectives/Purpose: This presentation will explain a public and private partnership that has catalyzed investment in blighted neighborhoods resulting in new livable communities in Philadelphia. Methods: Prior to this program the city was challenged by the overwhelming scale of the vacancy problem. City crews often cleaned lots only to have them revert to their original state in less than a month. There had been no comprehensive plan for sustained custodial management and no method for linking maintenance with neighborhood stabilization and development. PLP integrates the resources of city agencies and a non-profit into a coherent and comprehensive approach to vacant land management. Results: This city continues to collaborate with PLP on the selection and greening of vacant lots, and has had a positive impact on community development. Discussion/Conclusions: The city has observed the economic and health impact greening has had on blighted neighborhoods and continues to partner with PLP.

Learning Areas:
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Program planning
Provision of health care to the public

Learning Objectives:
Describe the collaboration between the city government and a nonprofit horticulture society. Discuss how public-private partnerships can address complex public health issues.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the Director of Housing at the Office of Housing & Community Development in Philadelphia. Therefore, I manage the relationship between the Philadelphia LandCare Program and the City of Philadelphia.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3215.1: Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators?: Harnessing Community Action to Address Social Determinants of Health