The crack epidemic in the 1980s struck cities particularly hard. In many urban communities, we see the lasting effects of the “war on drugs” today. For the Woodbourne McCabe community especially, historical family ties to the drug trade had lasting effects on the residents who live here. Woodbourne McCabe was one of the first integrated neighborhoods in the York Road corridor. The beautiful housing stock was marred by drug related violence that occurred in the 1990s. Today, we see a new breath of life in this community. Once vacant or abandoned houses are taking new form as homes for new families coming to the neighborhood. Due to tireless work on behalf of residents for over a decade, the city agreed to demolition of vacant homes and Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake purchased 30 homes in the neighborhood for repair. On weekend mornings, McCabe Avenue is a cacophony of lawnmowers, drills, and hammers with all the residents and organizations working together to renew hope and home for this small neighborhood.
