HUD Announces $3.6 Million Available for Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grants

On June 7, HUD announced that $3.6 million in Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grants will be awarded in fiscal year (FY) 2011 to assist in the transformation, rehabilitation, and preservation of public housing and privately-owned HUD-assisted housing.  Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grants are intended to help transform distressed public and assisted housing into sustainable, mixed-income housing that connects to key services, such as education and transportation, and supports positive outcomes for the neighborhood’s families. 

Eligible applicants are public housing authorities, local governments, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit developers that apply jointly with a public entity.  Applicants must demonstrate their plan to revitalize the neighborhood through public-private partnerships that seek to develop high-quality public schools and early learning programs, public transportation, and improved access to jobs and well-functioning services.

These grants are intended to enable communities to create a comprehensive “transformation plan,” or road map, to transform public and/or assisted housing within a distressed community to create a Choice Neighborhood.  This federal support is designed to provide a significant incentive and catalyst for the local community to take critical steps toward neighborhood transformation.

The application deadline is August 8, 2011.  HUD anticipates awarding approximately 12 grants with a maximum award of $300,000 each.

For more information, please contact Ellen Lurie Hoffman.