After the Lykins Strategic Development planning process, residents and stakeholders formed Lykins’ first standing committee, the Housing and Development Committee. To date, this committee has worked with Hoxie Collective and Gregg Lombardi (Neighborhood Legal Support) to determine a refined focus area for development, provide feedback on performance guidelines for renovation and new development, and has attracted like-minded local rehabbers and developers to begin property acquisition and project development. The community development process also employs four Lykins residents as community liaisons to deepen community engagement and attract a more diverse group of participants to the neighborhood association. 

The infill and development guidelines provide a framework for developing property in a way that fits the neighborhood character. The audience for the guidelines is developers and contractors who are seeking to provide good quality, affordable housing, particularly for low-to-moderate income families and individuals. The guidelines are designed to:

• Encourage good quality development that is profitable for the developer.

• Encourage developers and contractors from the neighborhood and developers who employ people from the neighborhood. 

• Attract developers and contractors who want to work in a vibrant, mixed-income, culturally diverse, welcoming and friendly neighborhood. 

The neighborhood recognizes that each new home and multi-unit development is unique and has its unique challenges and opportunities. Accordingly, the guidelines are not hard and fast rules, they inform the construction process as well as regular communication with the neighborhood. The more consistent development is with these guidelines, the more supportive the neighborhood is likely to be of the projects. Establishing a consistent level of quality is also an assurance to all who invest in these projects.