Key recommendations from the panel include:

Develop Organizational and Staff Capacity

VIHA does not currently have the staff capacity or required expertise to implement its ambitious Redevelopment Plan. The panel recommends hiring a professional recruiter to fill key open positions, obtaining technical assistance training from experts and support from subject matter experts, and engaging philanthropic partners to supplement staff salaries.

Prioritization of Phasing Based on Funding Availability

The panel recommends that VIHA prioritize projects that are not hyper-focused on tax-exempt bonds/4% financing, but instead have secured funding that is ready for deployment. The projects in the implementation plan should be broken up into distinct, achievable phases based on human resources constraints. Furthermore, the substantial public dollars coming in from the federal government can be effectively leveraged to attract private investment, having a catalytic effect on investment in Frederiksted.

Effective and Inclusive Community Engagement

Equitable development is impossible without inclusive community engagement. The panel recommends that VIHA prioritize listening to the community they serve and being responsive to the needs of their residents, shaping what they hear into actionable projects and programs. It is recommended that VIHA identify and engage community leaders to create a conduit for local interests and concerns to be more easily understood and managed in a timely and effective manner. This means meeting people where they are, and including residents as key partners in the engagement process.

Resident empowerment

VIHA’s Bright Path resident services model has the right goals but lacks sound measurement mechanisms. The panel recommends that specific, measurable, and equitable metrics be developed to implement the ambitious Bright Path model. Furthermore, the panel recommends that inclusive property management approach be utilized in service of Bright Path model’s goals.

Resiliency

The panel recommends that resiliency lie at the center of VIHA’s redevelopment plan.  Recommendations around energy diversification and sustainability provided in the final report.

Key Partnerships

The panel sees necessary the creation of a chief housing officer position to coordinate the multifaceted housing demands at the governmental level. Their chief responsibilities should be setting policy, strategic planning, prioritization of resources, oversight of existing agencies (especially VIHA, VIHFA and VIEDA), and “ambassador” functions such as leading engagement with Legislature and Community on behalf of Governor and cluster of agencies.