Hillside

Success at Hillside

The revitalization of Hillside has been DASH for LaGrange’s premier project. Since beginning work there in 2003, DASH has:

Rebuilt or constructed 80 single-family homes

Sold 74 DASH homes to owner-occupants

Developed 82 rental units for low- and moderate-income households

Developed Hillside Cottages, a compact neighborhood with 20 homes for senior citizens

Renovated an existing apartment complex, Wilburn Apartments, which reopened with 12 attractive two-bedroom units rented to low-income tenants

Reached 37 percent reduction in substandard houses in original Hillside target areas of Lincoln, Jefferson and Lee streets

Reached 28 percent reduction of substandard houses in entire Hillside community

As a direct result of DASH efforts, property tax values at Hillside increased by $9.2 million from 2004 to 2007. During the same time period, the crime rate dropped from one of the highest in LaGrange to below the city average. With the city’s support, DASH’s goal to restore Hillside to a tight-knit community with safe streets was met.