HUD grants aim to create ‘Choice Neighborhoods’

The federal Choice Neighborhoods initiative is designed to transform distressed neighborhoods and public and assisted projects into viable and sustainable mixed-income neighborhoods. It will do this by linking housing improvements with services, schools, public assets, transportation and access to jobs.

The initiative places emphasis on local community planning for access to high-quality educational opportunities, including early childhood education. Choice Neighborhoods grants will provide support for the preservation and rehabilitation of public and HUD-assisted housing, within the context of a broader approach to concentrated poverty. The initiative will involve local governments, nonprofits, and for-profit developers in comprehensive local planning with residents and the community.

In addition, HUD emphasizes coordination with other federal agencies to better align federal investments in education, employment, income support and social services in targeted neighborhoods. Already, the Departments of Education, Justice and Health and Human Services are working with HUD to coordinate investments in neighborhoods of concentrated poverty, including those targeted by Choice Neighborhoods.

Congress has authorized up to $65 million of the HOPE VI appropriations for a Choice Neighborhoods demonstration. HUD and Congress are currently working on authorizing legislation to formally establish the program for FY 2011 and beyond.

• The application for the HUD Choice Neighborhoods Initiative, round one grant is available at: http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=56918.
• The pre-notice is available at: http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=54839.

For more information, contact Operations Specialist Ramona K. Mullahey, at the HUD Honolulu Field Office, (808) 522-8185, ext. 249.