The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced $6.5 million in Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grants for 13 communities across 11 states to redevelop severely distressed public housing or HUD-assisted housing. Each selected community, including the first-ever Tribal Nation to receive a Choice Neighborhoods grant, will receive $500,000 to create a comprehensive neighborhood "Transformation Plan." This strategy aims to modernize existing HUD housing, improve workforce, health, and education outcomes for residents, and attract long-term public and private reinvestment.
"HUD is committed to investing in communities, lowering housing costs and increasing safe and affordable housing supply across the country," said HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. "Choice Neighborhoods not only empowers neighborhood redevelopment but offers families and individuals the opportunity to thrive in their communities."
The funds provided will allow communities to boost support and strengthen actions necessary for change. Rich Monocchio, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for HUD’s Office of Public and Indian Housing, stated: "These Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grants represent a special opportunity to bring together residents and stakeholders to address decades of disinvestment that have left their communities behind."
The recipients of the grants are as follows:
- Birmingham, AL: Housing Authority of the Birmingham District (Kingston/Woodlawn)
- Phoenix, AZ: City of Phoenix (Marcos de Niza/Grant Park)
- Tucson, AZ: City of Tucson (29th Street Thrive Zone)
- Oxnard, CA: Oxnard Housing Authority/City of Oxnard (La Colonia/Central Oxnard)
- Woodland, CA: Housing Authority of the County of Yolo (Yolano Village/Donnelly)
- Miami, FL: Miami-Dade County (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Station)
- Joliet, IL: City of Joliet/Housing Authority of Joliet (Bicentennial Bluffs)
- Detroit, MI: City of Detroit/Detroit Housing Commission (Greater Forest Park/Eastern Market)
- Poughkeepsie, NY: City of Poughkeepsie (Northside)
- Okmulgee, OK: Muscogee (Creek) Nation (College Heights)
- Johnstown, PA: Johnstown Housing Authority/Cambria County Planning Commission (West End)
- Houston, TX: Houston Housing Authority/City of Houston (Near Northside)
- Bristol, VA: Bristol Redevelopment and Housing Authority (Virginia Hills)
Since its inception in 2010, the Choice Neighborhoods program has been instrumental in preserving affordable housing across nearly 60 cities by adding new mixed-income units along with businesses and amenities such as parks and grocery stores.
