Choice Neighborhoods

Choice Neighborhoods
Name	Choice Neighborhoods
Location	United States
Established	2010
Founder	Barack Obama and HUD
Related	Hope VI, Promise Neighborhoods

Choice Neighborhoods. The HUD launched the Choice Neighborhoods program in 2010 as a comprehensive community development initiative, building on the successes of Hope VI and Promise Neighborhoods. This program aims to transform distressed public housing projects into vibrant, mixed-income communities, providing residents with access to quality education, healthcare, and employment opportunities, as envisioned by Barack Obama and implemented by Shaun Donovan. By leveraging public-private partnerships and collaborating with organizations like the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials and the Urban Land Institute, Choice Neighborhoods seeks to create thriving neighborhoods that promote social mobility and community development, as seen in Chicago, New York City, and Los Angeles.

Introduction

The Choice Neighborhoods program is designed to address the complex challenges faced by low-income communities, including poverty, crime, and limited access to resources. By investing in affordable housing, community facilities, and social services, the program aims to create sustainable communities that offer residents a better quality of life, as demonstrated by the work of Julian Castro and the HUD. This initiative is guided by the principles of comprehensive community development, which emphasizes the importance of community engagement, participation, and collaboration among stakeholders, including local governments, non-profit organizations, and private sector companies like Bank of America and Wells Fargo. The program's approach is informed by the experiences of successful community development initiatives, such as the Boston Housing Authority and the New York City Housing Authority, which have demonstrated the effectiveness of holistic community development strategies.

History

The Choice Neighborhoods program was established in 2010 as part of the Obama Administration's efforts to address the housing crisis and promote community development. The program was inspired by the successes of Hope VI, a public housing revitalization initiative launched in the 1990s by the HUD under the leadership of Henry Cisneros. Hope VI demonstrated the potential of comprehensive community development to transform distressed public housing projects into vibrant, mixed-income communities, as seen in Atlanta, Detroit, and Philadelphia. The Choice Neighborhoods program builds on this legacy, incorporating lessons learned from Hope VI and other community development initiatives, such as the Empowerment Zone program and the Community Development Block Grant program, which have been supported by Congress and implemented by federal agencies like the HUD and the United States Department of Commerce.

Program Overview

The Choice Neighborhoods program provides grants and technical assistance to support the revitalization of distressed public housing projects and the development of surrounding neighborhoods. The program focuses on three core goals: housing, people, and neighborhoods. The housing goal involves the redevelopment of public housing projects into mixed-income communities, as seen in Seattle and Denver. The people goal aims to provide residents with access to supportive services, such as job training, education, and healthcare, through partnerships with organizations like the United Way and the Salvation Army. The neighborhoods goal seeks to create vibrant, sustainable communities with access to quality amenities, such as parks, community centers, and public transportation, as envisioned by urban planners like Jane Jacobs and Andrés Duany. The program is guided by a comprehensive community development approach, which emphasizes the importance of community engagement, participation, and collaboration among stakeholders, including local governments, non-profit organizations, and private sector companies like Google and Microsoft.

Implementation and Impact

The Choice Neighborhoods program has been implemented in numerous cities across the United States, including Chicago, New York City, and Los Angeles. The program has demonstrated significant impact in transforming distressed public housing projects into thriving, mixed-income communities, as seen in Boston and Washington, D.C.. For example, the Chicago Housing Authority has used Choice Neighborhoods funding to redevelop the Cabrini-Green public housing project, creating a vibrant, mixed-income community with access to quality amenities and supportive services. Similarly, the New York City Housing Authority has leveraged Choice Neighborhoods funding to revitalize the Ocean Bay public housing project in Far Rockaway, Queens, as part of the Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts. The program has also been recognized for its innovative approach to community development, which emphasizes the importance of community engagement, participation, and collaboration among stakeholders, including local governments, non-profit organizations, and private sector companies like Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase.

Funding and Grants

The Choice Neighborhoods program is funded through a combination of federal appropriations and private sector investments. The program provides grants to support the revitalization of distressed public housing projects and the development of surrounding neighborhoods. The grants are awarded through a competitive process, with applications reviewed by a panel of experts from federal agencies, non-profit organizations, and private sector companies like Boeing and Coca-Cola. The program has received funding from Congress and has been supported by federal agencies like the HUD and the United States Department of Commerce. Additionally, the program has leveraged private sector investments from companies like Walmart and Target, as well as philanthropic organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Ford Foundation.

Community Engagement

The Choice Neighborhoods program emphasizes the importance of community engagement, participation, and collaboration among stakeholders. The program requires grantees to engage with residents, community organizations, and local governments to ensure that the revitalization efforts are responsive to the needs and aspirations of the community. This approach is informed by the principles of participatory democracy, which emphasizes the importance of citizen participation and community involvement in decision-making processes. The program has been recognized for its innovative approach to community engagement, which has helped to build trust and partnerships among stakeholders, including local governments, non-profit organizations, and private sector companies like Facebook and Amazon. By leveraging community engagement and participation, the Choice Neighborhoods program aims to create sustainable communities that promote social mobility and community development, as envisioned by Robert Putnam and Richard Florida.

Category:United States Department of Housing and Urban Development programs