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Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant Program (HUD) - FAQs

What is the Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant Program?

The Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant Program is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that helps communities carry out comprehensive neighborhood revitalization plans. It is designed to transform severely distressed public or assisted housing and the surrounding neighborhood into healthy, opportunity-rich places where families can thrive.

How is an Implementation Grant different from a planning effort?

Implementation grants are intended to move beyond planning and into on-the-ground execution. The work is guided by a locally developed comprehensive strategy known as a Transformation Plan, with an emphasis on actually carrying out the plan rather than only developing it.

What is a Transformation Plan in this program?

A Transformation Plan is the locally developed, comprehensive revitalization strategy that links housing redevelopment, resident-focused supports, and neighborhood-level improvements. HUD expects the Implementation Grant to fund execution of that plan and to connect housing work with actions that strengthen neighborhood assets and market viability.

What are the three core goals HUD uses to structure this program?

HUD structures the program around three tightly connected goals: Housing, People, and Neighborhood. The Transformation Plan and implementation activities are expected to address all three in a coordinated way.

What does the Housing goal support?

Under the Housing goal, grant funds support replacement of distressed public and assisted housing with high-quality, mixed-income housing that is properly managed and responsive to the broader neighborhood context. The intent goes beyond renovation to focus on durable, well-operated housing that meets existing resident needs while improving market viability and neighborhood stability.

Is the Housing goal mainly about renovating existing buildings?

No. The stated intent is not simply to renovate buildings. The program emphasizes replacement and long-term quality and management, with mixed-income housing that fits neighborhood context and supports long-term stability.

What does the People goal focus on?

The People goal centers on improving educational outcomes and long-term economic mobility, particularly for youth and families. Implementation grants support services and supports delivered directly to young people and their families, with the expectation that improved educational pathways, family supports, and coordinated service delivery will improve intergenerational outcomes.

How are resident services connected to housing redevelopment under this program?

The program emphasizes aligning housing redevelopment with meaningful human-capital investments. The expectation is that residents benefit not only from improved housing units, but also from improved life chances through education- and family-focused supports.

What does the Neighborhood goal address?

The Neighborhood goal targets broader conditions that shape daily life and local opportunity. HUD is looking for revitalization efforts that create an environment for sustained public and private reinvestment in distressed neighborhoods, including improvements and strategies tied to safety, access to good schools, and increased commercial activity and amenities.

Why does HUD emphasize safety, schools, and commercial activity?

The notice recognizes that families make long-term choices about where to live based on stability, services, and opportunity. Improvements that affect safety, school access, and amenities are framed as key ingredients for attracting investment and improving quality of life over time.

What is the overarching expectation for how the Transformation Plan should work?

HUD expects the Transformation Plan to link housing redevelopment to neighborhood assets and market-strengthening actions that can attract investment and improve quality of life, supporting long-term neighborhood stability rather than isolated, short-term upgrades.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) and CFDA number for this opportunity?

The Funding Opportunity Number is FR 5700 N 25, and the CFDA number is 14.889.

When was this funding opportunity posted and when did it close?

The opportunity was posted on May 30, 2013. The application closing date was September 10, 2013, and the archive date was September 20, 2013.

How many awards did HUD anticipate making?

HUD anticipated making about 4 awards under this funding opportunity.

What was the estimated total funding amount for the program?

The estimated total program funding amount was $109,000,000.

What was the maximum (ceiling) award amount per grant?

The maximum award amount (ceiling) was $30,000,000 per grant.

What type of funding instrument is used?

The funding instrument is a grant.

What category does this grant fall under?

The opportunity is categorized under community development and housing.

Does the program require cost sharing or a match?

Yes. The program includes a cost-sharing or matching requirement. Applicants should be prepared to contribute non-federal resources or leverage other funds as part of the overall financing and implementation strategy.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), local governments, tribal entities, and nonprofits. For-profit developers may apply when they apply jointly with a public entity.

Can a for-profit developer apply on its own?

Not as described here. For-profit developers are identified as eligible when they apply jointly with a public entity, indicating a partnership structure is required for that applicant type.

Where can applicants find the detailed eligibility and partnership requirements?

HUD directs applicants to consult the specific eligibility sections of the notice, referenced as Sections I.C, III.A.1, and III.C.2, for detailed requirements and conditions on who can apply and how partnerships must be structured.

How were the application materials accessed?

The application materials were accessed using the CFDA number (14.889).

How were questions or clarification requests handled?

Questions and clarification requests were handled through email to the address provided in the full announcement.

What kind of community change is HUD trying to achieve through this grant?

HUD is aiming for comprehensive neighborhood revitalization that converts severely distressed public or assisted housing and the surrounding neighborhood into healthier, opportunity-rich places. The program description emphasizes durable housing solutions, resident outcomes (especially education and mobility), and neighborhood conditions that support sustained reinvestment.

What does HUD mean by "mixed-income" housing in this context?

The notice describes mixed-income housing as part of replacing distressed public and assisted housing with high-quality units that are properly managed and aligned with neighborhood context, with the broader goal of improving overall market viability and neighborhood stability.

What does "properly managed" imply in the Housing goal?

Based on the program description, HUD is emphasizing long-term operational quality, not just construction activity. The housing created should be well operated and responsive to resident needs and the surrounding neighborhood, supporting durability and stability over time.