What Millville Residents Have Told Us

The Chat & Chew series, hosted by HCDC, brought Millville residents together for open, solutions-driven discussions about community needs, resources, and concerns. Across several sessions, participants from diverse backgrounds and neighborhoods voiced their priorities and helped shape ongoing community action.

Photos by Bill Horin/ArtC

Key Themes and Concerns

• Public Safety: Residents frequently cited gun violence, lack of police presence, aggressive panhandling, and unsafe housing complexes. Speeding and traffic safety — particularly around 4th & Pine — were also top concerns.

• Housing Issues: Concerns included high rent, irresponsible landlords, unhealthy housing conditions, and affordability. Many expressed a desire for clearer landlord-tenant responsibilities and more robust code enforcement.

• Mental Health & Resources: The need for accessible mental health services, along with better awareness and connection to existing community resources, was a consistent theme.

• Youth & Community Engagement: Residents highlighted a lack of activities for youth, issues with truancy, and the importance of curfews and safe spaces for children.

• Environmental Issues: Litter along railroad tracks, animal control concerns, and general neighborhood cleanliness were discussed often. Several clean-up efforts were initiated or planned as a result.

  
  

Notable Outcomes & Initiatives

• Community Clean-Up Events: Local champions helped plan clean-up days, including a September 2025 event in partnership with a local bank.

• Advocacy for Railroad Debris Removal: Residents pushed OmniTrax to address trash and debris along local tracks, with HCDC staff committed to following up.

• Resource Sharing: Attendees shared tools like RecyclingCoach.com to support local recycling education and access to information.

• Lead Paint Remediation & Housing Support: Discussions led to promotion of housing rehab grants and education around lead-safe homes.

• Preservation Efforts: Concerns raised about potential sale of historic Tiffany windows at a local church prompted conversation around historical preservation resources.

  
  

Community Engagement and Participation

• Each session welcomed a mix of returning and new participants, with growing attendance and involvement over time.

• Attendees were respectful, engaged, and collaborative, often contributing their own resources and forming connections with local service providers and city departments.

• Questions around transparency and communication from city officials were raised, leading to calls for improved public engagement and clarity around initiatives like UEZ funding and shared services agreements.

  
  

DASH Incubator Program Highlights

HCDC’s DASH Incubator launched with a focus on deepening community connections and fostering resident-led change.

• Initial Engagement: 34 residents attended early sessions focused on identifying the top concerns in the community. These included safety, housing, mental health, youth issues, and homelessness.

• Ongoing Collaboration: HCDC followed up with stakeholders like Millville PD and the school district to address concerns raised, particularly around safety and truancy.

• Resident Leadership: The program helped identify potential Community Champions who could bridge the gap between residents and city policy, with 8 participants returning for leadership development discussions.

• Tangible Impact: Residents not only shared concerns but also acted, reaching out to resource providers and helping others access support for food, bills, and housing.

Looking Ahead

HCDC remains committed to creating space for open dialogue, amplifying resident voices, and turning feedback into action. With continued collaboration and community leadership, the Chat & Chew series will remain a cornerstone of civic engagement in Millville.