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The winner is "My Front Yard", a program that has helped almost 200 homeowners make substantial improvements in renovating their homes and yards. A few before and after photos capture the impact in neighborhoods. Porches, windows, siding, roofs, and landscape have been improved dramatically.

Federal Empowerment Zone funding was used in implementing the improvements. Participants receive modest improvement loans to spruce up their houses. The impact is often dramatic and has led to greater neighborhood pride as neighbors also have engaged in similar improvements.

With the investments, neighborhood stability has been enhanced as have property values.

In the words of the city officials, “neighbors have become neighbors” again.