In September 2013 the Tampa Housing Authority was awarded a $596,616.00 Byrne Criminal Justice Initiative Planning and Enhancement
Grant by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Program Summary: The BCJI Enhancement will expand the reach of the current Central Park / Ybor Choice Neighborhood to
incorporate a focus on crimes and nuisances committed by homeless persons. The BCJI Enhancement will enjoy the benefits of the
existing cross-sector partnerships already established through the Choice Neighborhood Initiative.
Partners: City of Tampa Police Department, Beverly G. Ward, PhD, Tampa Hillsborough Homeless Initiative
(formerly known as the Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County), Hillsborough County Public Schools, Corporation to Develop
Communities of Tampa (CDC of Tampa), Ybor City Development Corporation, Ruth Dewberry (Resident Ambassador for the Central
Park / Ybor Choice Neighborhood).
Background: The Choice Neighborhood is experiencing a resurgence in community investment and interest. However, problems
arising from the saturation of homeless persons committing crimes and nuisances continue to hinder the “live, work, play”
lifestyle revitalization efforts aim to achieve. The Homeless Count reveals 64% of homeless persons are in the Choice
Neighborhood causing a disproportionate amount of crimes and nuisances. Data for the neighborhood reveals more than 7% of the
reported citizen complaints are occurring in less than 1.7% of the geographic land area of the City of Tampa. Additionally,
when surveyed, only 84% residents feel safe and revitalization organizations point to the rise in homeless persons as a
deterrent to growth.
If you live in the Central Park / Ybor City neighborhood please take our online survey and let us know what you think about
the program: