City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: MAY 21, 2026
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: DR. DAVID C. ROSE, DIRECTOR, ALEXANDRIA HEALTH DEPARTMENT
ALETHEA PREDEOUX, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Grant Application for Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation’s Love Your Block Grant
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ISSUE: Consideration of a grant application to the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University to support the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the Alexandria Health Department’s (AHD) Community Health Improvement Plan.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Approve the submission of a grant application to the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation for $270,000 to support place-based initiatives; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all the necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: The Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University is funding cities with a population of at least 50,000 to support neighborhood projects that reflect local priorities, build community pride, and strengthen neighborhood spaces and relationships. This is a two-year program, with funds dispersed in January 2027. The application is due by June 1, 2026. The grant includes:
• $70,000 in funding for program implementation and volunteer-led mini-grant projects.
• $200,000 in funding to support up to two Love Your Block Fellows.
• Training, coaching, and programmatic support from the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University.
• Peer-to-peer learning with current and former Love Your Block grantee cities.
• Exclusive access to national experts, peer practitioners, and hands-on, in-person technical support at the Love Your Block annual convening.
• Recognition as a Love Your Block grantee city in the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University collateral, including on social media, the Center website, and other media.
As part of this grant application, the Mayor must pledge to partner with local communities for neighborhood improvement.
DISCUSSION: The 2025 Community Health Assessment highlighted ongoing health challenges in certain population groups and neighborhoods. As a result, the 2025-2030 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) will take a new approach, prioritizing efforts in two key neighborhoods: Arlandria and Landmark/Van Dorn. AHD and its nonprofit partner, the Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria, have facilitated the development of coalitions (made up of residents, businesses, city agencies, and nonprofits) in each of these two neighborhoods. Each coalition is creating a vision statement for their neighborhood, selecting 3-4 focus areas, and then developing place-based solutions to address those concerns. This community partner and resident-driven initiative to improve the neighborhood directly aligns with the grant opportunity.
Implementing these plans will be dependent on coalition members. This mini-grant fund, along with the resources to hire two fellows, can provide the needed support to improve each neighborhood. If awarded this grant, AHD will hire one fellow for each neighborhood, who will be charged with working with the coalition to prioritize potential projects from the CHIP for mini-grants. These individuals will also support the monitoring and evaluation of the CHIP to ensure we’re on track with better health outcomes.
By engaging with residents to identify and address community challenges, this work builds off practices learned and issues named during the Harvard Bloomberg City Leadership Initiative Innovation Track. This work also supports other City initiatives with overlapping geographies and priorities such as the SHARE coordinated effort, the Duke Street Land Use Plan, the Children and Youth Community Plan, and the Age-Friendly Plan. This dedicated funding support and staff will ensure we are integrating all these various perspectives into the work, leveraging resources, and reducing duplication for residents.
FISCAL IMPACT: This grant, if awarded, will provide up to $270,000 to improve health outcomes through place-based, resident-led initiatives. There is no required match from the City.
STAFF:
Alethea Predeoux, Deputy City Manager
David Rose, Director, Alexandria Health Department
Natalie Talis, Population Health Manager, Alexandria Health Department
Sean Curry, Public Health Planner, Alexandria Health Department
Kieu Nguyen, Business Manager, Alexandria Health Department