Camp Washington Community Board (CWCB) has been working since the 1970's to improve Camp Washington, a small neighborhood nestled between the factories of Spring Grove Avenue and Interstate 75. In 2010, with the help of the Operating Support Grant, CWCB has completely rehabbed three homes. They have also secured and rehabbed the exteriors of three additional homes and a six-unit apartment building, as part of their planning for development of housing in 2011.

The first set of photos to the right show the three homes before and after that were completely rehabbed. It's important to note that all of the buildings CWCB acquired and rehabbed in 2010 were left vacant as a result of foreclosures, bankruptcy and property flippers. In the case of one building, CWCB tracked the title across the nation, through several absentee investors and banks to rescue the home from ruin. The circumstances of each vacant building are slightly different, but it's clear that seven buildings in this neighborhood were saved from ruin this year through the tireless effort of CWCB's staff and board.

The second set of buildings to the right are homes whose exteriors are secured and will be rehabbed in 2011. Using their time proven model of neighborhood improvement, CWCB secures the exteriors of buildings by putting in windows, siding, paint and maintaining them until a buyer/renter can be found. When a buyer is found, he/she has a hand in major design choices of the floor plan and architectural design as well as minor design choices such as paint colors, plumbing fixtures, lighting fixtures, flooring, cabinets, countertops and landscaping.

The third photo to the right is of one of the homes rehabbed last year with the help of the Operating Support Grant. Even in these hard economic times, CWCB continues to consistantly rehab and produce quality housing. The current inhabitant helped design a unique and innovative floor plan. The final set of photos shows a gutted home, an example of the homes offered for presale, with all of its creative possiblities.

Overview
CWCB's first goal is to preserve the tight-knit Camp Washington community by facilitating ownership of quality home for the locals, while also welcoming new-comers. The uniqueness of this historic area, between I-75 and the industry of Spring Grove Avenue, with the community center, parks, and locally owned and operated restaurants serving as anchors, lends itself to many generations living on the same block. CWCB guts old buildings (preserving the unique, historical details) to insulate and modernize them for today's familiesówhich includes new floor plans, windows, appliances, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning. Check out their website: www.camp-washington.org for community events, sales and contact information.