The purpose is to increase UNC Charlotte's role in helping local neighborhoods. The project was formed to address the concerns of the residents in Dillehay Courts, Piedmont Courts, Belmont, Optimist Park, Tryon Hills and Villa Heights.
Several projects involve faculty and students working with neighborhood residents.
These projects will help residents meet their neighborhoods' needs while the university meets its mission of Teaching, Research and Service. As required by HUD, most of the money is being used to pay for university faculty and students to provide help to these targeted neighborhoods. Most of this is spent to release the faculty to allow them to take time to help the neighborhoods. Some is being used to help pay students to support the project. A Neighborhood Advisory Board, with representatives from each neighborhood as well as local organizations, determines how those funds are spent.