Choice Neighborhoods – a centerpiece program within the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative - seeks to support distressed communities as they develop and enhance the sustainability of public and assisted mixed-income housing and improve a host of other outcomes in areas such as education, employment, and health in hopes of transforming the entire community. A strategy focused on the particular needs of a neighborhood, the Choice Neighborhoods program emphasizes the importance of community partnerships in developing solutions for the interconnected challenges neighborhoods face. As outlined in the Notice of Funding Available (NOFA), the Choice Neighborhoods program has three core goals:
- 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 educational outcomes and intergenerational mobility for youth and supports delivered directly to youth and their families; 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.
Successful applicants must develop and implement a comprehensive neighborhood revitalization strategy, or “Transformation Plan.” This Transformation Plan will become the guiding document for the revitalization of the public and/or assisted housing units, while simultaneously directing the transformation of the surrounding neighborhood and positive outcomes for families.
Eligible applicants include: Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), local governments, tribal entities, nonprofits, and for-profit developers that apply jointly with a public entity. The 2013 Choice Neighborhood Planning Grants are subject to FY 2013 Congressional appropriations. As a result, HUD is unable to provide information about the number of amount of awards anticipated. At this time, applications are due May 28, 2013. However, this date may change as a result of appropriations. The NOFA contains the following guidance about Congressional appropriations:
Because FY 2013 full-year funding has not been appropriated for this program, the availability of any such funding for this program is contingent upon future Congressional action. HUD will issue a technical correction to this Notice that will identify the amount of funds available and provide any additional requirements that the FY 2013 appropriations bill may require. This technical correction may extend the NOFA application deadline date.
Stay tuned to our blog for updates about the appropriated funds available for the 2013 Choice Neighborhoods program. Check out our previous posts on other Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative Programs:
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