Atlanta Through the Archives

Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development began the Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant program to succeed the HOPE VI public housing demolition and revitalization program. Created in 2009, the CNIG program looks to address the “comprehensive approach to neighborhood revitalization,” which was viewed as a substantial shortcoming of the HOPE VI program. Under this new framework, local governments, public housing agencies, nonprofits, and for-profit developers could apply for funds for HUD-assisted rental housing and distressed housing. Specifically, the AHA and City of Atlanta received $30 million from the grant to in the revitalization initiative of the former University Homes public housing site and created the University Choice Neighborhood encompassing Atlanta University Center (AUC), Ashview Heights, and Vine City. AHA received a Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant in 2020 to design a Transformation Plan for the former Bowen Homes public housing site in Northwest Atlanta. The Bowen Choice neighborhood includes this site, the Carey Park neighborhood, and the business corridor along Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway. The completion of this Transformation Plan will be used to apply for the Implementation Grant.