Choice Neighborhoods Grants Finalists Announced

"The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has identified five applicants as finalists to compete for FY20 Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grants to transform public and/or other HUD-assisted housing, as well as the surrounding neighborhood," according to an announcement from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The city of Detroit, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority, Housing Authority of the city of Camden (new jersey), Housing Authority of the city of Fort Myers (Florida), and the Lewiston Housing Authority (Maine) will compete for individual grants of up to $35 million.

The list of five finalists was culled from a pool of 20 applicants.

The announcement includes more on the process and goals of the Choice Neighborhoods grant program, which was targeted by the Trump administration for cuts during its time in office. The three goals of the program are listed as follows:

• Housing: Replace distressed public and assisted housing with high-quality mixed-income housing that is well-managed and responsive to the needs of the surrounding neighborhood;
• People: Improve outcomes of households living in the target housing related to employment and income, health, and children’s education; and
• Neighborhood: Create the conditions necessary for public and private reinvestment in distressed neighborhoods to offer the kinds of amenities and assets, including safety, good schools, and commercial activity, that are important to families’ choices about their community.

For background on the project at the center of Detroit's application see a (paywalled) article published by Crain's Detroit Business in November 2020.