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Public Housing Agency Awarded Grant To Support West Dayton Neighborhood

Greater Dayton Premiere Management

A grant totaling more than 2.3  million dollars has been awarded to Greater Dayton Premier Management to help with work readiness and job-placement programs in west Dayton.

The goal of the new Jobs Plus grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is to raise income levels for residents in the DeSoto Bass neighborhood.

Jennifer Heapy, the chief executive officer for Premier Management, says the grant is one of several revitalization efforts taking place there.

“Everyone that’s been involved in this understands that there needs to be some targeted investment to improve the area, and maybe reduce some barriers. And again that goes back to focusing on education, focusing on having quality housing, businesses in the area, and job readiness.

Built in 1942, DeSoto Bass and nearby Hilltop Homes were Dayton’s first public housing sites. The first residents there were African-American families who were barred from private rentals in other parts of the city.

This is the second HUD grant issued this year for revitalization in the DeSoto Bass neighborhood.

Jerry began volunteering at WYSO in 1991 and hosting Sunday night's Alpha Rhythms in 1992. He joined the YSO staff in 2007 as Morning Edition Host, then All Things Considered. He's hosted Sunday morning's WYSO Weekend since 2008 and produced several radio dramas and specials . In 2009 Jerry received the Best Feature award from Public Radio News Directors Inc., and was named the 2023 winner of the Ohio Associated Press Media Editors Best Anchor/News Host award. His current, heart-felt projects include the occasional series Bulletin Board Diaries, which focuses on local, old-school advertisers and small business owners. He has also returned as the co-host Alpha Rhythms.