REAL’s action plan proposes a multi-faceted approach to neighborhood stabilization inclusive of both homeownership and employment opportunities of local residents and businesses through the rehabilitation and occupancy of foreclosed properties. Specific aspects of the plan focus on several guiding principles:

• Targeting neighborhoods where public policy investments for long term sustainability are being made and areas considered “tipping” areas where foreclosures are a threat to neighborhood stability.
• Incorporating green building practices by utilizing several of the Earthcraft Renovation Guidelines when creating scope for the project. Examples of how the Earthcraft Renovation Guidelines will be used are to include retrofitting existing plumbing fixtures with water saving mechanisms, replacing incandescent light bulbs with low energy fluorescent bulbs, addition of insulation if missing, the replacing of damaged windows with insulated glass, etc.
• Utilizing LSBEs to provide many of the services needed to renovate the eligible homes acquired within our program.