Choice Neighborhood Planning Grants Announced for 5 U.S. Cities

A federal grant program designed to support holistic and socially-focused planning projects at the neighborhood level has announced the winners of its most recent round of competitive grant funding.

2 minute read

June 2, 2021, 8:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


HUD

Mark Van Scyoc / Shutterstock

Five communities are receiving a combined $160 million in grants through the federal Choice Neighborhoods Initiative. The grant program is designed to "redevelop severely distressed housing and spur comprehensive revitalization," according to a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development press release announcing the winners of the most recent round of funding.

HUD named Camden, New Jersey; Cleveland, Ohio; Detroit, Michigan; Fort Myers, Florida; and Lewiston, Maine as this year’s grant winners. That means all five of the finalists announced in April received funding.

"The five awardees will create nearly 2,700 new mixed-income housing units as part of their efforts to revitalize their neighborhoods. Based on information provided in each community’s application, for every $1 in Choice Neighborhoods funding, the awardees will leverage an additional $10.60 in public and private resources for their project proposals," according to the press release.

A more detailed report provides more on the projects pursued by each of the grant winners. The city of Detroit's project, which won $30 million for the Greater Corktown neighborhood, attracted local media attention with a paywalled article published by Crain's Detroit Business. Here's how HUD's report describes that project:

With the award of the Choice Neighborhoods grant, the City of Detroit and its partners will replace the distressed 87-unit HUD-assisted Clement Kern Gardens Apartments with over 800 units of mixed-income housing. They will also enhance public spaces, integrate green infrastructure, and create a Community Empowerment Center. These physical investments will be paired with tailored health, employment, and education supports for the families living at Clement Kern Gardens Apartments.

Wednesday, May 26, 2021 in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

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