HCD | Community Initiatives

In addition to housing program, the Housing and Community Development department seeks to assist community based organizations and groups develop and build their capacity to fullfill their mission and objectives.  In addition the department implements community development initiatives with other agencies and partners.

• Lead-Safe Roanoke is a program that is funded by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development designed to reduce lead poisoning as a result of lead-based paint hazards in Roanoke through education and outreach.  Screening and testing for families who do not have a doctor is provided by the  City of Roanoke Health Department free of charge.  In addition, Lead-Safe Roanoke implements lead hazard control measures on homes in the City of Roanoke that have been proven to have lead present is determined eligible by the program standards.  For more information on this program, please contact Lead-Safe Education and Outreach at 540 853-5682 or 540-853-5681 Holly Baxter. Testing and Screening is done at the Health Dept.

• For information on a free cleaning kit please call Angela Whitfield at 540 345-6781 ext. 4348 between the hours of 8:30-5:00.
• Dumas Drama Guild is a multi-cultural theatre troupe in Roanoke, Virginia.  Talented actors currently perform both original and established plays.  Since its founding in the summer of 2000, the DDG has given over 82 performances of thirteen different plays.  In conjunction with the DDG, TAP offers Youth on the Yard Organization (YOYO Players), a high-quality theater based production of children aged 5-15 of all races, income levels and ethnic backgrounds.  YOYO Players offers workshops once a week during the school year and a three week workshop during the summer, featuring theater games and various movements and vocal exercises aimed at developing the quality and effectiveness of students’ personal and public self-expression.

• Downtown Music Lab is a non-profit after-school music creation, recording and performance program for students in grades 6 through 12 in the Roanoke Valley.  At the Music Lab, kids learn how to play musical instruments and use a wide variety of equipment in 5 studio rooms to record and later perform music of their own creation including rock, jazz, hip-hop, folk and classical.  Annually the Music Lab produces a CD featuring the music of the Valley’s middle and high school students.  Students have opportunity to perform their music through various talent shows in the community, including the Music Lab’s own Encore Awards show, modeled after the Grammy’s.  For more information, please visit http://www.downtownmusiclab.com/
• Or you may call 540-777-2639