Oct. 1--The Peachtree Hills Neighborhood Preservation Kick-off Event is scheduled for noon today, as a group of organizations begin the effort to improve conditions in the northwest Charlotte neighborhood.

Peachtree Hills, which is off Sunset Road, has been hard-hit by the home foreclosure problem, with about 25 percent of the 178 homes in the community in some stage of foreclosure. Peachtree Hills will be part of a pilot project to convert vacant houses into family homes. The program includes purchasing foreclosed properties, making needed repairs, and leasing or selling the homes to qualified people.

Organizations involved in the project are the City of Charlotte, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Housing Partnership, Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte, and Self-Help.

Today's kick-off event will be at Peach Place Lane in Peachtree Hills.

In addition to the renovation and sale of foreclosed homes, the project also focuses on community improvements -- such as landscaping, outdoor maintenance, financial literacy, pre-purchase counseling, credit counseling, and safety.

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