We are only considering rehabilitation of single family public housing in Emerson Park.

  Of 134 publicly-owned homes, 97 need to be refurbished and 36 need to be demolished because rehabilitation is cost-prohibitive.

  All single family units are clustered together to increase community cohesion.

  The area under consideration is comprised of 134 quarter-acre lots with a built-up area of 1500 square feet.

  The area under consideration includes a vacant lot of 100 acres.  This area will be replaced with a park; new trees will be planted here.
This would help in increasing aesthetic value and economic viability.  One tree will be planted every 400 square feet.  Two oak
trees will be planted in front of every house.

All the single family houses will be refurbished similarly, except:
     a). Electrical--only 1/4 of the houses need major repair.
     b). Plumbing--only 1/2 of the houses need plumbing repair.
     c). Flooring and ceiling repairs required for 1000 square feet per unit each.

Each entrance pathway is rebuilt and two pathway lights are put on the entrance porch.

We feel that the neighborhood needs services within walking distance of residences.  Five commercial store units requiring renovation are present on
the site which are similar in size to a single family dwelling unit.  The total cost of renovating each is 1.75 times that of the single unit.

The demolished volume is 4500 cubic feet per unit and an additional charge of $8000 is paid in dump fees.

  We will receive a grant from HUD for $800 000.  We assumed that HUD would cover a sizable portion of our initial cost.

  We will charge $160 per month per house (lower rents for public housing); and $500 per month rent for commercial establishments.

  Refurbishing  the area will evoke a sense of security; extra lighting contributes to this, and will lead to a reduction in crime.  Fewer police will therefore be needed.

  With the neighborhood in better condition, risk of injury to children decreases.  There would also be a reduction in crime- and violence-related hospital visits.

  The trees that will now be surrounding the houses have an insulating effect.  This will lead to a $1 per year reduction in heating and cooling bills.
 

  In 15 years, each house will need repairs totaling 35% of the intial cost to repair the house.

  We assume that we will need to employ three full time maintenance personnel at $25 000 per year, and six office personnel at $30 000 per year.