HUD’s Signature Place-Based Program Continues to Invest in “Housing, People, and Neighborhoods” Nationwide
FORT WORTH – U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia L. Fudge today announced “Supplemental Grant” awards for Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grantees totaling more than $98 million. Fort Worth Housing Solutions and the City of Fort Worth’s Stop Six neighborhood was one of the grantees awarded $5 million. In addition, HUD is opening a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for $10 million to support local planning efforts.
“We’re thankful for the additional funds to continue the Choice Neighborhood revitalization in Stop Six,” Fort Worth Housing Solutions President Mary-Margaret Lemons said. “Rising interest rates and construction costs have made developments more challenging. We appreciate HUD recognizing those realities and providing further funding.”
The Stop Six Choice Neighborhood Transformation Plan was developed by residents, community leaders and stakeholders to capture a shared vision for a vibrant, safe and sustainable community with access to quality education, healthcare, services and amenities – a “neighborhood of choice.” The initiative was seeded by a $35 million U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Choice Neighborhoods Implementation grant awarded in April 2020.
“These funds are instrumental in creating a living community that we’ve called a ‘gateway to the west,’” said Mayor Pro Tem Gyna Bivens, who serves District 5 including Stop Six. “We’re so proud to welcome our Cavile senior citizens back home with access to services and amenities in a modern housing environment. We’re so grateful to HUD for believing in this project and Stop Six.”
Choice Neighborhoods Implementation (CNI) Grants assist in redeveloping severely distressed HUD-assisted properties into mixed-income communities. The program has a three-pronged “Housing, People, and Neighborhood” approach that includes not only redevelopment of distressed properties, but also provides support to housing residents related to health, education, and income, while simultaneously investing in neighborhood improvement projects which promote economic development and private investment. Since the program’s inception, the Choice Neighborhoods program has seen 11,000 new mixed-income units built across 44 cities. More than 32,000 units are planned.
“When it comes to Choice Neighborhoods, HUD is an invested partner at the table,” said Secretary Fudge. “Cities and public housing authorities are working tirelessly to address affordable housing shortages despite pandemic-era construction cost increases. The additional Choice Neighborhoods funding represents HUD’s commitment to creating new housing for the communities that need it most. The Choice Neighborhoods approach is a comprehensive model that can be transformative for communities, and we invite more communities to consider tapping into it.”
“CNI is an amazing engine for housing and economic development for neighborhoods in the Southwest. Congratulations to Fort Worth Housing Solutions and the City of Fort Worth on receiving $5 million in CNI funding from HUD,” Candace Valenzuela, HUD Southwest Regional Administrator, said. “Choice Neighborhoods cultivates properties that provide safe homes with a focus on tenant services as well as robust neighborhood economic development.”
The entire list of awardees can be viewed here.
