By David Cruz
Correspondent
If this is what you think of when someone mentions Camden, New Jersey, Mayor Dana Redd brought in some of her friends in high places to show that you’re only seeing part of the picture.
“Camden is changing. Camden is on the move. Camden is coming back,” said Congressman Donald Norcross.
An official designation today by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development as an urban promise center is just the latest evidence that even the president recognizes the great strides the city is taking.
“There have been many starts and stops. Many efforts that have come and gone and no real change, but this time it’s for real in this city. It’s not the same old, same old. The city of Camden is getting momentum and traction and this is going to change the outcomes for the next generation here in this city,” said Center for Family Services President and CEO Richard Stagliano.
The city is one of only eight to win this designation. Almost 140 had applied. And rather than an indication of how bad things are here, the designation rewards the city for the work it’s already done.
“We won’t be making Camden a promise zone if we didn’t think that it strides, we’re on the way already. There’s a lot of work that has gone into it to get to this point. And so we believe that they have the resources, that with just a little capacity on the staff front, they have the plan there. They can go out and apply for the funding now for things they already had tangible recommendations for,” said HUD Regional Administrator Holly Leicht.
So, that’s a kind of nice way of saying that the designation comes with no actual HUD money. It does come with five staff people (AmeriCorps volunteers, technically) who will work in the city to help it coordinate efforts o secure federal funds with a concentration on public safety education, jobs, health and affordable housing.
“I believe in building capacity in local government to deliver services and also partnering with other agencies and entities in order to get those services delivered. And so today’s announcement really is a prelude for other opportunities for Camden to apply for federal funding. It gives us really priority consideration at the Federal level,” Redd said.
With so many problems still to solve, Camden is going to need lots of federal assistance. But the designation as an urban promise center makes it eligible for potentially hundreds if millions in federal grants. For a cash-starved city that is, indeed more good news.