In its first year, the Husky Neighborhood Assistants program only had two applicants, but almost 12 months later, student involvement has increased, and six new faces are preparing to greet the “north of 45th” community fall quarter.

“I want to boost the moral of residents around there and better the image of the [community],” said new recruit Sydney Safley.

The assistants are designed to be a resource for students living north of 45th to help answer tenant questions, ease the transition to off-campus housing, and build a community among students and permanent residents in the area.

“They also try to help facilitate a two-way dialogue between students and the neighbors, and neighbors and the university,” said Aaron Hoard, deputy director for the Office of Regional Affairs. “I think creating projects where they can interact and have dialogue creates a healthy dynamic up there.”

Last year’s assistants used focus groups to facilitate this communication, where students and some permanent residents were able to voice concerns about their community. One such issue that the group hopes to address in the future is the condition of the neighborhood’s sidewalks, which have been overgrown with roots in recent years.

“It was a really rich conversation in terms of interaction between students and full-time residents,” said Elizabeth Higgins, director of Community Standards and Student Conduct, about last year’s focus groups. “They sometimes have the same concerns.”

Assistants who qualify earn a $1000 AmeriCorps scholarship facilitated through the Carlson Leadership and Public Service Center by completing 300 hours of service during a 12-month period as representatives for members of the university’s North of 45th Committee.

“We really want to establish the Husky Neighborhood Assistants as a resource for off-campus students that they can go to for help with things such as accessing city services and landlord issues,” Higgins said.

The students involved in the program plan and initiate projects throughout the year based on their goals for the position. Activities from last year’s assistants included neighborhood cleanups at the beginning and end of the year, when students could dispose of large items while moving to and from the area, and door-to-door visits to introduce themselves to the community.

“[I want] to make sure students are making the best transition between living on and off campus,” said Junior Assistant Kevin Wu in his biography for the program. “I believe having a good transition will make students’ college experience a much better one.”

The program may aim to help students with off-campus living and community-building, but it does not cater to students living in off-campus housing south of 45th at this time. However, the group hopes to expand its services in the future.

“I hope that we’re able to look at more holistic services for off-campus students in the next five years,” Higgins said.

While seven spots are available in the program, only six assistants have been hired for next year, and applications are still being considered.

Reach Arts Editor Lexie Krell at news@dailyuw.com.