The Department of Housing and Urban Development announced another round of Choice Neighborhood grants in December, awarding five communities a total of $132 million in grant funding.

"U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julián Castro [recently] announced that five communities across the U.S. will receive more than a combined $132 million to redevelop severely distressed public or assisted housing and revitalize surrounding neighborhoods," according to a press releases. The Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grants went to Denver, Boston, St. Louis, Camden, and Louisville.
As an example of the enthusiasm of local leaders for the Choice Neighborhood funding, Jacob Ryan reports on the response in Louisville after HUD awarded nearly $30 million to the Louisville Metro Housing Authority for the redevelopment of the West Louisville neighborhood of Russell.
"The grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will serve as a pivotal peg in the plan to spur new economic development and residential infill in the neighborhood currently beset with poverty, blight and crime," explains Ryan.
"We are ecstatic. This is a huge day not just for Russell, not just for West Louisville, but for our entire city," wrote Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer after the funding was announced.
FULL STORY: HUD Awards $132 Million to Five Communities to Revitalize Housing, Surrounding Neighborhoods

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.

In More Metros Than You’d Think, Suburbs are Now More Expensive Than the City
If you're moving to the burbs to save on square footage, data shows you should think again.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)