Neighborhood-Based Activities include a broad range of programmatic initiatives carried out through neighborhood community development organizations working in their local service areas. Grants are tailored to match community needs. For FY 2005, Neighborhood-Based Activities funded by the Department include the following six programmatic components. For information on any of DHCD's support services or programs, Ask the Director or call (202) 442-7200.

1. Comprehensive housing counseling – This service is performed by housing counseling agencies to assist tenants and homeowners to achieve or maintain safe, decent and affordable housing.
2. Commercial corridor development – Assistance is provided in neighborhoods that have experienced economic decline. Funded projects help to support and strengthen existing businesses; broaden the mix of retail stores, restaurants, and services; provide technical assistance for small businesses; and provide greater access to capital for small neighborhood-based businesses.
3. Affordable housing preservation – Nonprofit organizations provide early intervention with tenants who reside in properties for which federal housing subsidies are due to expire. Training, tenant awareness, organizational development assistance, and other assistance is provided.
4. Affordable housing development – Community development organizations conduct pre-development activity and are provided some project delivery costs for selected affordable housing development projects.
5. Storefront facade development – Community development organizations based in commercial corridors that have experienced significant decline and whose businesses need assistance to participate in the overall economic rebirth of the District will be targeted. Physical facade storefront improvement is provided for each approved commercial property.
6. Crime prevention – Assistance is provided through other District agencies or nonprofit intermediaries. DHCD is formulating a substantial effort to support concerted neighborhood based crime prevention initiatives in targeted “Hot Spot” high-crime areas of the District.