Choice
Neighborhoods grants transforms distressed neighborhoods and public and assisted
projects into viable and sustainable mixed-income neighborhoods by linking
housing improvements with appropriate services, schools, public assets,
transportation, and access to jobs. A strong emphasis is placed on local
community planning for access to high-quality educational opportunities,
including early childhood education. Choice Neighborhoods grants build upon the
successes of public housing transformation under HOPE VI to provide support for
the preservation and rehabilitation of public and HUD-assisted housing, within
the context of a broader approach to concentrated poverty. In addition to public
housing authorities, the initiative will involve local governments, non-profits,
and for-profit developers in undertaking comprehensive local planning with
residents and the community.
HUD
established the Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant to fund a process to improve
neighborhoods where there is HUD-assisted housing like Lorna Donne Apartments.
The
Planning Grant will include assessing the needs of: