Like much of the Northside, the area has seen its better days. Businesses are few and far between, but police are a constant presence. Almost like a flower garden in a vacant lot, the bright facades of Habitat Way seem out of place, giving the neighborhood a suburban feel, with their front lawns and fenced-in driveways. Though the homeowners consider themselves Northsiders, their world revolves around the development. Sometimes families shut down the street, roll out the basketball courts, and play a pickup game.
Most homeowners know their neighbors by name, and their children play together.
Greenwood recalled how he grew up in the Christopher Columbus project with one neighbor and played Midget baseball with another. It makes you feel safe knowing that everyone is looking out for one another. Kids know they could run to any house if something happens. Habitat and its homeowners have also infused the downtrodden neighborhood with new energy and helped put the First Ward on the radar screen of elected officials. The Paterson Habitat Homeowners Association, a block association that regularly makes its complaints felt at council meetings, puts out a newsletter and holds monthly meetings.