Affordable Housing Working Group Updates

Accomplishments:

Piedmont and Wertland & 10 St: The first two affordable housing developments (Piedmont in Albemarle County and Wertland & 10th St in Charlottesville city) are moving steadily ahead.

• The developers, Piedmont Housing Alliance (PHA), and Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) are working on pre-development activities such as site planning, community engagement, early design concepts, and rezoning.
• We are also negotiating partnership agreements with the developers, which will hold them accountable for creating high quality communities that will be affordable and well maintained for many decades.
• Each site is unique and continues to progress on its own timeline. The timing for construction depends on financing and entitlements. Based on conversations with the developers, construction likely will not commence before 2026 at Wertland & 10th St and 2027 at Piedmont at the earliest.

North Fork: North Fork is a very different site from the initial two properties in size and scale. Project phasing and affordability mix will look different at North Fork compared to Piedmont and Wertland & 10th St.

• The schedule is tentative, with a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) anticipated this fall and a Request for Proposals (RFP) early next year.
• Compared to the initial two properties, we anticipate more market rate and middle-income housing in addition to affordable at this site.

Ongoing Initiatives:

• Advisory Group Meetings
  • The Advisory Group meets as we have information to share. Our last meeting was on October 14, 2024.
• Promoting the Initiative/Responding to Requests for Participation
  • We continue to promote the affordable housing initiative and to highlight the partnership that is our foundation. 
    • Pace Lochte and Fred Missel presented at the White Ruffin Byron Center for Real Estate Conference in early November. 
• Continued Negotiations with Developers
  • We continue to negotiate with the selected development partners to establish business terms, structure, and partnership agreements. This work includes oversight of all legal and land transfer documentation.
• Financing and Construction Planning
  • The developers will be charged with designing, financing, constructing, and operating/maintaining the housing units. The timeline for construction will depend on the rezoning process and the financing. 

Upcoming Milestones: 

• Finalized Partnership Agreements
  • UVAF aims to complete the negotiation of partnership terms with both PHA and POAH to solidify the commitments and responsibilities of all parties involved
• Community Engagement Events
  • As the development plans take shape, we look forward to more of the community engagement process.
• Request for Proposals (RFP) for North Fork
  • The RFP for North Fork will follow the RFQ.

Community Safety Implementation Group Updates

Accomplishments:

• Goal 1: Create Protective Communities
  • Educate and Inform: Community Engaged Coursework continues specifically with a class taught in Batten School of Leadership by Michele Claibourn. The class has produced two research briefs that aims to describe the nature scope, and dimensions of the problem of gun violence locally. 
  • Build Positive Relationships: The implementation group has worked to build out the prevention and intervention and community engagement arms of Project Safe Neighborhoods.  The emphasis here is on restorative justice, diversion programs, and community safety solutions, alongside innovative partnerships, sets this community’s approach to PSN apart as a holistic and inclusive approach to community safety in the region.  
    • We have workshopped the call-in protocol with many community partners and service providers in order. On Friday, December 6, the Community Safety Implementation Group held a meeting to review this protocol with additional community partners. 
• Goal 2: Enhance Place Based Programing and Access to Care 
  • The Hospital Based Intervention Program has been begun with UVA Health, and the Community Safety Implementation Group provided a letter of support in bringing this program to fruition. 
• Goal 3: Improve Coordination and Information Flow among community members, service providers, schools, and law enforcement. 
  • Data Sharing Systems:  Sam Toet, Data Scientist at the Equity Center has created a state of Gun Violence Overview that works with data and analysts across the region to provide foundational scope of the problem.  She is also working through the proposal process to access the Virginia Longitudinal Data System with the Department of Juvenile Justice as the partner.  Access to this data will allow us to better understand antecedents to youth who become in involved in gun violence by investigating services provided and other predictive outcomes. 

Ongoing Initiatives: 

• Goal 1: Create Protective Communities
  • The Communications committee led by Jessica Harris and Sydney Shuler have ben working to create an explainer video for the community safety working group and gun violence solutions project.  They are also working with communications leads across the region to create a communications plan to inform accurate information around Project Safe Neighborhoods. 
• Goal 3: Improve Coordination and Information Flow among community members, service providers, schools, and law enforcement. 
  • Information Hub: We are working with the Office of Youth Protection at UVA to update the Youth Opportunity Website with opportunities for youth for this upcoming summer. 
• Goal 4: Bolster Re-Entry Programs
  • Sherica Jones-Lewis and Jessica Harris provided a report that evaluated the One Stop Shop model here locally to deepen the understanding of the needs around service coordination and resource inventory, stakeholder engagement and collaboration, and data sharing.  
  • The Re-Entry Summit conducted by Equal Justice USA, the Fountain Fund, and Tom Tom Festival had their third summit this year on December 4.  

Upcoming Milestones: 

• Will be beginning call-in meetings in the new year to provide holistic support to community members. 
• Another 50 students will be added to Starr Hill Pathways (increase to 275 students) this upcoming summer to provide mentoring and college and career pathways support to youth. 
• Continued work on the community resource app will commence this upcoming spring. 

Early Childhood Education Implementation Group Updates

Accomplishments: 

• Created a map of local organizations and efforts in the Early Childhood space 

• Compiled by Dr. Sherica Jones-Lewis, Naomi Shumpert, Jessica Harris, and Dr. Corey Borgman, this report catalogs existing ECE initiatives (including funders, programs, higher ed, and supporting community organizations), identifying alignments, overlaps, and gaps amongst current ECE efforts.  
   

Ongoing Initiatives:  

• Monthly Meeting 

• The ECE Implementation Group continues to meet monthly to discuss upcoming plans and work around ECE initiatives 

• Collaboration with Piedmont Housing Alliance 

• Ongoing meetings with PHA to understand community need, available physical space, and to support planning for embedded ECE programming 

• Facilitated meeting between PHA and Bezos Academy to explore potential partnership 

• Providing resources and support to childcare planning at Hickory Hope  

• Participation in Head Start Planning Group 

• Group is working to reinstate lost Head Start grant, beginning with needs assessments 
   

Upcoming Milestones:  

• UVA Family Support Collab reviews RFP submissions. 

• Selection announcement expected before January 1st. 

• Ongoing meetings  

• The group will continue to meet regularly to move forward recommendations.  

Local Economy Updates

FY25 Q1 (July 1, 2024 – September 30, 2024) 

SWaM Designation	# Suppliers	Spend Amount	Percent of Total
Non-SWaM	445	$40,804,203.93	17.03%
Small Business	35	$6,305,447.00	2.63%
Woman-Owned	23	$555,311.53	0.23%
Micro Business	30	$2,536,294.99	1.06%
Minority-Owned	4	$125,775.72	0.05%
Total	536	$50,327,033.17	21.00%

 Accomplishments: (October 1-December 31) 

• It Takes A Village 
  • Hosted the It takes a Village event at Alumni Hall on October 10, 2024. This event connected minority-owned, women-owned, and small businesses with construction opportunities with general contractors. This event fostered collaboration and networking for subcontractors and enhanced capacity building on projects at the University. 
• Athletics Catering 
  • Hosted the University of Virginia Athletics Catering Event, 2024. This event allowed athletics employees to meet local caterers and sample their menus. Athletics is a large purchaser of catering, and it is crucial to provide them with opportunities to purchase healthy, affordable, and tasty meals for university athletes. 
• Henrico Procurement Event 
  • Attended the event, a collaboration of four locality Purchasing offices: Chesterfield County, Hanover County, Henrico County, and the City of Richmond. Henrico County serves as the host, and representatives from the four localities' departments attend the event to speak with the attendees about upcoming opportunities and department operations. This event was pivotal in planning potential events for 2025. We want to collaborate with more local procurement managers within the area. Procurement outreach events foster economic development, educational workshops, and networking opportunities. 
• Minority Business League Woman Who Mean Business Summit 
  • Attended the Women Who Mean Business Summit, a one-day conference that brings together women-owned businesses and professionals for workshops, networking, advice, and opportunity. The Summit focuses on female leaders and innovative change makers. 
• Minority Business Alliance Gala 
  • Sponsored a table at the Minority Business Alliance Gala. This opportunity allowed key departmental decision-makers to socialize and network with local community partners. 
• Businesswomen's Roundtable 
  • Attended the Business Woman Roundtable meeting centered around connecting women-owned businesses with local resources. 
• Black Diamond Weekend Conference (Black Brand) 
  • Attended the Black Diamond Week Conference hosted by the BlackBrand. The Black Brand is a black-founded entrepreneurship network based in the Hampton Roads area that fosters a bridge between start-ups and mature businesses. 
• Fourth Annual P.O.W.E.R Business Opportunities Forum 
  • Attended the Richmond Airport Business Opportunities forum. We learned of several opportunities we know local Charlottesville-owned businesses would be interested in submitting a proposal. 
• Christopher Newport University SWAM Fair 
  • Attended the Christopher Newport SWAM Fair, where we were able to reconnect with business owners who participated in the VASCUPP SWAM Fair and procurement officers. 
• Asian Chamber Gala 
  • Attended the Virginia Asian Chamber Gala on December 4, 2024, in Richmond, VA. We maintain our chamber membership and frequently participate as table vendors. 
• Neta Scientific 
  • Hosted a procurement event for Neta Scientific, a leading distributor of laboratory supplies, solutions, and safety products to the life science and pharmaceutical industries. Neta Scientific is an NMSDC, WBENC, SBA, and MBE-certified black-owned firm. We look forward to seeing increased university spending with Neta Scientific. 
• Collaborative Investment Community 
  • Collaborated with Community Investment Collaborative on November 19, 2024. Taught entrepreneurs business basics with the University of Virginia and covered entry-level knowledge of VASCUPP contracts, an ongoing collaboration with the Community Investment Collaborative. Our department provides insights and expertise to those in the entrepreneurship workshop each year. 

Ongoing Initiatives: 

• We are reducing the barriers to entry for small businesses looking to do business with the University. 
• We continue improving the communications we provide to university users and suppliers.
  • The Supplier Diversity Initiative currently has outdated information on its website and handouts. Furthermore, there is a lack of information provided to the University community. We are consulting with our internal communications team to develop a strategic, intentional communications strategy that best meets the needs of our diverse audience. We added resource documents to the website. 
• We are increasing SWaM firm participation in the Request for Proposal (RFP) process.
  • One reason the Supplier Diversity team has identified to improve spending with SWaM firms is to increase the number of SWaM firms participating in RFPs (Request for Proposal). Which requires us to:
    • Find and contact SWaM firms to inform them about RFP opportunities proactively.
    • Prepare potential respondents with information about the University's business processes and procedures.
    • Encourage buyers to consider innovative ways to make contracts more attainable for smaller businesses. (e.g., multiple awards, partnership opportunities, "unbundling")
• We continuously host category-specific workshops, increasing the department's visibility within the community. Secondly, it will allow suppliers to engage with category managers and learn relevant information related to their industry and professional services (i.e., catering, facilities management, construction, professional services, IT (Information Technology)).
• We will continue our data reporting initiative with the various colleges and schools across grounds. 

Upcoming Milestones: 

• Collaborating with the Minority Business Alliance, an affinity group based out of our local Greater Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce. 
• Collaborating with the University of Virginia Health System 
• Planning SWaM Fest 2025 with partnering VASCUPP universities. 
• Collaborating with UVA-Wise to host a Small, Woman, and Minority-owned related Supplier Diversity event. 
• Collaborating with the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County, and PVCC procurement. 

Pipelines and Pathways Updates

From August 1 to November 15, 2024, UVA Pipelines & Pathways had 1,350 participants, placing 243 into employment: 53% with the Medical Center, 31% with the Academic Division, and 16% with external partners.

Accomplishments 

Pipelines & Pathways hosted multiple events to connect job seekers with employers and launched a training program for Patient Safety Companions.

• On August 1st, Pipelines & Pathways hosted an Open House and Mini Job Fair with nearly 100 attendees, connecting job seekers with hiring managers from various UVA departments.
• The HOOS Caring training program for Patient Safety Companions was launched on September 30th, with the first cohort of eight participants completing the program by October 25th.
• The first four students in the HOOS Caring program were non-native English speakers who received additional language training, and all participants received technical skills training.
• On November 14th, Pipelines & Pathways held the UVA Career & Community Fair at John Paul Jones Arena, featuring almost 90 exhibitors and over 500 job seekers.
• The Career Fair included a job seeker resource area, workshops on workplace readiness, and free professional headshots for attendees.

Ongoing Initiatives 

The P&P program supports approximately 1,350 participants with customized job placement services and community outreach, focusing on overcoming employment barriers.

• The P&P program has around 1,350 participants, with each team member managing about 200 participants at any given time.
• Services include job placement assistance, resume creation, interview preparation, and addressing barriers like transportation, childcare, and criminal history.
• P&P has participated in approximately 100 events since January 2023, with 21 outreach efforts from August to mid-November.
• Key events include the UVA Career & Community Fair, Career Building 101 workshops, and various community partner events.

Upcoming Milestones

• Pipelines & Pathways enhances employment retention through community resources, training programs, and collaboration with EWYL for better candidate preparation.

• Pipelines & Pathways has placed almost 250 participants into employment since January 2023, with an 80% retention rate.
• Tori Maxey, now a full-time Community Resource Navigator, assists new hires with barriers like childcare, transportation, and housing.
• P&P collaborates with EWYL to provide English courses, workplace readiness training, computer basics, medical terminology, and BLS certification to better prepare candidates.
• EWYL aims to work more closely with P&P to improve the preparation of entry-level and contract employees for their programs.
• P&P offers workshops and training to enhance the competitiveness and job readiness of candidates for various medical and technical positions.

Public Health Working Group Updates

Accomplishments: 

• Food Security Programs: 
  • Provided fresh produce in partnership with Abundant Life Ministries for 17-months serving approximately 50 families on a bimonthly basis. The health system through philanthropic funds has been able to supply fresh produce through its partnership with Abundant Life Ministries in Fifeville for over 1-year using its community-health stations model. 
• Health Disparities/Patient Satisfaction Recommendations: 
  • UVA Health has launched provider star ratings system last month where patients can see each provider’s rating by patients seen at UVA health. 
  • In partnership with Chair of Emergency Medicine at UVA Health the Co-chairs of the Public Health WG have helped to establish an Emergency Room Community Advisory Board (CAB) to partner with community experts and patients who received care in the UVA Health ER in advocacy efforts for care received in the Emergency Room setting.
• Invest in resources that directly address health inequities/partnering with Birth Sisters of Charlottesville:
  • UVA Health’s Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, has partnered locally with the Birth Sisters of Charlottesville towards improving the birthing experience, as well as providing education to improve cultural competency in the delivery of health care. 
    • Birth Sisters are recognized as members of the care team in performing their role as Doulas
    • Community lectures (November 2024) Birth Sisters gave a presentation to UVA Health residents, faculty and medical students
    • Women’s Health initiatives and Wellness in partnership with Chihamba and Mt. Zion African Baptist Church (2nd-anniversary event)
  • Men’s Health Event – UVA Health, and other community partners with Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church Annual Men’s Health Event – September 2024.  (Third Anniversary event).
  • UVA Health Comprehensive Cancer Center – initiative “Stay in the Game” to increase men’s awareness around cancer screening and advocacy. 
• UVA Health Mobile Care Van 
  • Launched 8/5/24 seeing patients in three locations (2pm to 6pm)
    • Abundant Life Ministries - 2nd Tuesday each month 
    • Independent Resource Center – 4th Tuesday each month
    • Habitat/Southwood Boys & Girls Club – 2nd and 4th Wed. each month
  • School Based City-Wide Vaccinations 
    • Woodbrook Elementary School vaccine event was held in September 2024.  Forty students received all of the vaccines they were missing, allowing them to comply with school policy.
    • A community vaccine event held at Burley Middle School for adults and children was held in October 2024.  Over 200 people were seen and over 300 vaccines were given. 

Ongoing Initiatives: 

Neurodevelopmental and behavioral health care clinic in partnership with UVA Health and Sentara Martha Jefferson to meet the growing need for mental health services for youth in Central Virginia.
6th Street Residential Housing Clinic building in partnership with Red Light Management; Tentative open date in 2025.

Upcoming Milestones: 

• Oak Lawn Property
  • Hosted community engagement sessions with residents of Fifeville and community leaders in various nonprofit organizations
  • Pending review of the Historic Structures Report and the Cultural Landscape Report 
• Telemedicine at Kindlewood Court
  • A Telemedicine hub is up and running in Kindlewood Court, a property owned by Piedmont Housing Alliance.