HUD Will Make $189 Million Available for Distressed Neighborhood Revitalization

On Wednesday, August 25th, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced plans to make $189 million in funds available for transforming public and assisted housing and revitalizing neighborhoods of concentrated poverty.

HUD will fund two revitalization initiatives to make this happen - the Choice Neighborhoods FY 2010 and the HOPE VI FY 2010.

HOPE VI Revitalization Initiative

The HOPE VI Revitalization Program has been around for almost 20 years and has been successful at transforming neighborhoods with distressed public housing into viable and sustainable mixed-income communities.

The HOPE VI Program was developed as a result of recommendations by the National Commission on Severely Distressed Public Housing. The Commission recommended revitalization in three general areas: physical improvements, management improvements, and social and community services to address resident needs.

"We have seen remarkable success under our HOPE VI program over the last 17 years. This funding will help continue that work to transform public housing projects and improve outcomes for tens of thousands of public housing tenants," said HUD Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing Sandra Henriquez.

To date, over 250 HOPE VI Revitalization grants have been awarded to 132 housing authorities since 1993, totaling over $6.1 billion.

Revitalization grant funds are used for a variety of projects including: capital costs of major rehabilitation, new construction and physical improvements; demolition of severely distressed public housing; acquisition of sites for off-site construction; and community service programs for residents.

Choice Neighborhoods Initiative

The aim of the Choice Neighborhoods Program is to have a more comprehensive approach to community development with housing transformation as its center. Emphasis will be on local community planning for access to high-quality educational opportunities, including early childhood education.

The initiative will transform distressed neighborhoods and public and assisted projects into mixed-income neighborhoods by linking housing improvements with appropriate services, schools, public assets, transportation, and access to jobs.

The program plans to award up to $65 million to public housing authorities, local governments; nonprofit organizations and for profit developers that submit joint applications with a public entity.

"We are proud to work with HUD to ensure that there are great schools at the center of every Choice Neighborhood," said Assistant Deputy Secretary Jim Shelton of the Department of Education's Office of Innovation and Improvement. "Our partnership is an important step to breaking down Federal agency silos and providing comprehensive tools to revitalize neighborhoods of concentrated poverty into neighborhoods of opportunity" said Shelton.

Grant Applications

Applicants have until Oct. 26, 2010 to apply for Choice Neighborhoods Planning or Implementation grants. Twelve to fifteen Planning Grants will be made with a maximum award of $250,000 each. HOPE VI Revitalization grant applicants will have until Nov. 22, 2010 to submit applications. Five to six grant awards will be made, with a maximum award of $22 million each.

Applications for both the HOPE VI Revitalization and the Choice Neighborhoods grants can be obtained at grants.gov

Article Source: HUD.GOV