Choice Neighborhood Grant Award

2012 – Rockford is one of 13 Communities nationwide awarded grants by HUD to begin grassroots efforts to revitalize housing and communities.

Choice Neighborhoods grants transform distressed neighborhoods and public and assisted projects into viable and sustainable mixed-income neighborhoods. A strong emphasis is placed on local community planning for access to high-quality educational opportunities, including early childhood education.

Choice Neighborhoods grants build upon the successes 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.

The Rockford Choice Neighborhoods Initiative focuses on strengthening the bonds of housing and neighborhood improvements with appropriate services, schools, public assets, transportation, and access to jobs. It will support the redevelopment of the Fairgrounds Valley housing complex within the context of a comprehensive revitalization plan for the Fairgrounds / Ellis Heights neighborhood that will focus on directing resources to address three core goals:
Housing, People and Neighborhoods.