The neighborhood association's proposal sounds like a terrific idea. If Habitat for Humanity could help with rehabilitation of existing, unoccupied homes, the families who live there would be integrated into the community rather than living in isolation in a less-than-desirable part of the neighborhood. Does anyone know if Habitat for Humanity has responded to the proposal?

Doesn't the neighborhood proposal depend upon getting permission from the property owners? Are they willing to give away the properties? If not, who will buy them? Isn't the main problem with providing low income homes, including through a group like Habitat, the fact that property owners want to make a profit.
The city owns the land for the current Habitat project, I think, but hardly anywhere else. So all the nice intentions aside, until there is a willing property seller and enough buyer money this all sounds good in theory but won't work in reality.