The Albany Housing Authority

Albany, Georgia

HUD’s Choice Neighborhoods Program Overview

The Choice Neighborhoods initiative will transform 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 will be placed on local community planning for access to high-quality educational opportunities, including early childhood education.  Choice Neighborhoods grants will build upon the success 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.

Additionally, the Department is placing a strong emphasis on coordination with other federal agencies, with the expected result that federal investments in education, employment, income support, and social services will be better aligned in targeted neighborhoods.  To date, the Departments of Education, Justice, and Health and Human Services are working with HUD to coordinate investments in neighborhoods of concentrated poverty, including those targeted by Choice Neighborhoods.  In the FY 2010 HUD Appropriations law, congress authorized the Secretary to use up to $65 million of the HOPE VI appropriations for a Choice Neighborhoods demonstration.  HUD and Congress are currently working on authorizing legislation to formally establish the program for FY 2011 and beyond.  For more information on HUD’s Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant program see http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/public_indian_housing/programs/ph/cn

Choice Neighborhoods Current and Future Competitions Webcast