Notice2024-17822
Request for Information for HUD's Choice Neighborhoods Grant Selection Process and Award Implementation
Primary source
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Published
August 12, 2024
Issuing agencies
Housing and Urban Development Department
Abstract
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) seeks public input on the Choice Neighborhoods (CN) grant program. The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to better understand the opportunities and barriers to applying for and subsequently managing Choice Neighborhoods Planning and Implementation Grants. HUD is especially interested in comments to reduce or eliminate barriers with the goal of improving the application process for all prospective applicants and expediting the expenditure of grant funds for awardees.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 155 (Monday, August 12, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 155 (Monday, August 12, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65653-65656]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-17822]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
[Docket No. FR-6473-N-01]
Request for Information for HUD's Choice Neighborhoods Grant
Selection Process and Award Implementation
AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian
Housing, Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
ACTION: Request for information.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) seeks
public input on the Choice Neighborhoods (CN) grant program. The
purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to better understand
the opportunities and barriers to applying for and subsequently
managing Choice Neighborhoods Planning and Implementation Grants. HUD
is especially interested in comments to reduce or eliminate barriers
with the goal of improving the application process for all prospective
applicants and expediting the expenditure of grant funds for awardees.
DATES: Comment Due Date: October 11, 2024. Late-filed comments will be
considered to the extent practicable.
ADDRESSES: HUD invites interested persons to submit comments responsive
to this RFI. All submissions must refer to the docket number and title
of the RFI. Commenters are encouraged to identify the topic and number
of the specific question(s) to which they are responding. Comments may
include the name(s) of the person(s) or organization(s) filing the
comment; however, because any responses received by HUD will be
publicly available, comments should not include any personally
identifiable information or confidential commercial information. There
are two methods for submitting public comments.
1. Electronic Submission of Comments. Comments may be submitted
electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at
<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>. HUD strongly encourages commenters to submit
[[Page 65654]]
comments electronically through <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>. Electronic
submission of comments allows the commenter maximum time to prepare and
submit a comment, ensures timely receipt by HUD, and enables HUD to
make comments immediately available to the public. Comments submitted
electronically through <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> can be viewed by other
commenters and interested members of the public. Commenters should
follow the instructions provided on that website to submit comments
electronically.
2. Submission of Comments by Mail. Comments may be submitted by
mail to the Regulations Division, Office of General Counsel, Department
of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW, Room 10276,
Washington, DC 20410-0500. To receive consideration as a public
comment, comments must be submitted through one of the two methods
specified above.
Public Inspection of Public Comments. HUD will make all properly
submitted comments and communications available for public inspection
and copying during regular business hours at the above address. Due to
security measures at the HUD Headquarters building, you must schedule
an appointment in advance to review the public comments by calling the
Regulations Division at 202-708-3055 (not a toll-free number). HUD
welcomes and is prepared to receive calls from individuals who are deaf
or hard of hearing, as well as individuals with speech or communication
disabilities. To learn more about how to make an accessible telephone
call, please visit <a href="https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/telecommunications-relay-service-trs">https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/telecommunications-relay-service-trs</a>. Copies of all comments submitted
are available for inspection and downloading at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris White, Neighborhood and
Community Investment Specialist, Choice Neighborhoods Program, Office
of Public Housing Investments, Office of the Assistant Secretary for
Public and Indian Housing, Department of Housing and Urban Development,
451 7th Street SW, Washington, DC 20410, telephone 202-402-5599 (not a
toll-free number), email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a9fe87eac1dbc0da87fec1c0ddcce9c1dccd87cec6df"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="85d2abc6edf7ecf6abd2edecf1e0c5edf0e1abe2eaf3">[email protected]</span></a>. HUD welcomes and is
prepared to receive calls from individuals who are deaf or hard of
hearing, as well as individuals with speech or communication
disabilities. To learn more about how to make an accessible telephone
call, please visit <a href="https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/telecommunications-relay-service-trs">https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/telecommunications-relay-service-trs</a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Choice Neighborhoods is a competitive grant program focused on the
revitalization of severely distressed public and/or HUD-assisted
housing and the surrounding neighborhood. Since 2010, Congress has
funded the Choice Neighborhoods Program through appropriations acts.\1\
The program and funding authority for the Choice Neighborhoods Program
is the authorizing statute for HOPE VI, Section 24 of the U.S. Housing
Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437v), as applied by annual appropriation
acts.\2\
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\1\ The Department of Housing and Urban Development
Appropriations Act, 2010 (Pub. L. 111-117, enacted on December 16,
2009).
\2\ The Department of Housing and Urban Development
Appropriations Act, 2010 (Pub. L. 111-117, enacted on December 16,
2009).
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HUD awards two types of Choice Neighborhoods grants annually:
Implementation Grants and Planning Grants. Implementation Grants
provide Public Housing Agencies (PHAs), local governments, and tribal
entities up to $50 million to replace severely distressed HUD-assisted
housing with new, high-quality, mixed-income housing. Implementation
Grants also fund companion investments in the surrounding neighborhood
and resident supportive services. Planning Grants provide PHAs, local
governments, Tribal entities, and nonprofits up to $500,000 to create a
community-driven ``Transformation Plan'' that addresses the program's
``Housing, People, and Neighborhood'' goals (see FY2023 Choice
Neighborhoods Implementation Grants Notice of Funding Opportunity
(NOFO) \3\ and the FY2024 Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant NOFO).\4\
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\3\ <a href="https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/PIH/images/FY23ChoiceImplementationFR-6700-N-34">https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/PIH/images/FY23ChoiceImplementationFR-6700-N-34</a>(mod).pdf.
\4\ <a href="https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/PIH/documents/FY24_CN_Planning_Grants_NOFO_FR-6800-N-38.pdf">https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/PIH/documents/FY24_CN_Planning_Grants_NOFO_FR-6800-N-38.pdf</a>.
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The Choice Neighborhoods NOFOs outline the program's three core
goals and objectives.
1. Housing Goal and Objectives
Housing Goal. The housing goal is to replace severely distressed
public and HUD-assisted housing with high-quality mixed-income housing
that is well-managed and responsive to the needs of the surrounding
neighborhood.
Housing Objectives. Housing transformed with the assistance of
Choice Neighborhoods should be:
<bullet> Well-Managed and Financially Viable. Developments that
have budgeted appropriately for the rental income that can be generated
from the project and meet or exceed industry standards for quality
management and maintenance of the property.
<bullet> Mixed-Income. Housing that is affordable to families and
individuals with a broad range of incomes including low-income,
moderate-income, and market rate/unrestricted.
<bullet> Energy Efficient, Climate Resilient, and Sustainable.
Housing that has low per unit energy and water consumption and is built
to be resilient to local disaster risk and other climate impacts.
<bullet> Accessible, Healthy, and Free from Discrimination. Housing
that is well-designed, meets federal accessibility requirements and
embraces concepts of visitability and universal design, has healthy
indoor air quality, has affordable broadband internet access, and is
free from discrimination.
2. People Goal and Objectives
People Goal. The people goal is to improve outcomes of households
living in the target housing related to income and employment, health,
and education.
People Objectives. Residents who live in the target and replacement
housing before and after redevelopment benefit from:
<bullet> Effective Education. A high level of resident access to
high-quality early learning programs and services so children enter
kindergarten ready to learn and quality schools and/or educational
supports that ultimately prepare students to graduate from high school,
college- and/or career-ready.
<bullet> Income and Employment Opportunities. The income of
residents, particularly wage income for non-elderly/non-disabled adult
residents, increases over time.
<bullet> Quality Health Care. Residents have increased access to
health services and have improved physical and mental health over time.
<bullet> Housing Location, Quality, and Affordability. Residents of
the target housing who, by their own choice, do not return to the
development have housing and neighborhood opportunities as good as or
better than the opportunities available to those who occupy the
redeveloped site.
3. Neighborhood Goal and Objectives
Neighborhood Goal. The neighborhood goal is to create the
conditions necessary for public and private reinvestment in distressed
neighborhoods to offer the kinds of amenities and assets, including
safety, good schools, and commercial activity, that are important to
families' choices about their community.
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Neighborhood Objectives. Through investments catalyzed by Choice
Neighborhoods, the neighborhood will have improved:
<bullet> Housing Quality and Variety. The neighboring housing has a
lower vacancy/abandonment rate, is high quality and well-maintained,
and has an appropriate mix of rental and homeownership units to meet
resident needs. The neighborhood better supports families with a broad
range of incomes.
<bullet> Economic Opportunity. The neighborhood attracts and
maintains a diverse mix of businesses and employers to create
meaningful jobs and economic opportunities for residents, respond to
local needs, and address long-term disinvestment.
<bullet> Community Assets and Amenities. The neighborhood includes
community amenities found in higher opportunity areas, such as grocery
stores and fresh food options, retail goods and services, financial
institutions, medical and health facilities, parks and greenspace,
public transit, high-quality early learning programs, and high
performing public schools.
<bullet> Community Confidence. The neighborhood image reflects a
healthy, livable, and equitable community that honors its history and
embraces a positive outlook for the future. There is an enhanced sense
of place and a visibly improved built environment. Long-term residents
choose to stay and have the support to do so, and new residents
likewise choose to live in the revitalized neighborhood.
<bullet> Public Safety. Residents feel safer in their homes and
spending time in the revitalized community and the neighborhood has
lower crime rates than prior to redevelopment.\5\
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\5\ See the FY2024 Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant NOFO page
4-6 for program goals and objectives. <a href="https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/PIH/documents/FY24_CN_Planning_Grants_NOFO_FR-6800-N-38.pdf">https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/PIH/documents/FY24_CN_Planning_Grants_NOFO_FR-6800-N-38.pdf</a>.
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II. Solicitation of Public Comments
This RFI seeks input from the public regarding the opportunities
and barriers to applying for and subsequently implementing Choice
Neighborhoods grants. Information from this RFI may be used to improve
the NOFOs and application submission process for Choice Neighborhoods.
HUD may also consider information gathered under this RFI to simplify
or streamline certain non-regulatory requirements or processes for
Choice Neighborhoods grantees. Therefore, HUD is especially interested
in comments to reduce or eliminate barriers during the application and
award implementation process and/or during the grant performance
period.
Information will also be used to inform marketing strategies to
promote the Choice Neighborhoods program to eligible applicants. HUD is
particularly interested in expanding the program's reach to communities
of all sizes, including large urban areas, mid-sized cities, small
towns, rural areas and tribal jurisdictions. Therefore, HUD is
interested in feedback from a diversity of stakeholders to ensure the
program is accessible to these groups during the application period,
and that they are positioned for success post award.
To better understand applicant and grantee experiences with Choice
Neighborhoods, this RFI is seeking comments on program NOFOs,
application requirements, post-award grant requirements, and additional
considerations on the program's goals and their alignment with existing
needs across different communities. To assist HUD in its review of the
comments received, the Department categorizes its questions into the
following topics: A. Pre-Award: Application Experience and NOFO
Requirements; B. Post-Award: Program Experience and Requirements; and
C. General. Public comments outside of these topics are also welcome.
For each topic, questions present the types of stakeholder insights and
information related to the Choice Neighborhoods Program that the
Department requests, as applicable.
A. Pre-Award: Application Experience and NOFO Requirements
1. Please describe your or your organization's experience, if any,
with the current Choice Neighborhoods Planning or Implementation grant
application process or program. Are you representing a current grantee,
past applicant, industry group, or partner?
2. If you previously applied for a Choice Neighborhoods grant, what
worked well through the application process? Are there any rating
factors or requirements in the Planning or Implementation Grants NOFOs
that are particularly important to maintain?
3. Are there any Choice Neighborhoods application requirements in
Planning or Implementation Grants NOFOs that are unnecessary or
complicated, and could be streamlined or removed? Please provide any
recommendations for how such requirements should be revised. Be
specific.
4. Are there any Choice Neighborhoods application or NOFO
requirements that make an application difficult or impossible? If you
consider the size of your city or community as a factor, please
indicate and describe how.
5. Do you have difficulty understanding any portion or section of
the Choice Neighborhoods NOFOs or program requirements? Are there
particular areas that you feel could be articulated more clearly or in
plain English?
6. What steps can HUD take to support applicants through the
planning, preparation, and submission of an application? Example
suggestions could include public briefings, NOFO webinars, marketing/
promotional materials in plain English, and other publicly available
materials.
7. If you have ever considered applying for a Choice Neighborhoods
Planning or Implementation Grant and elected not to do so, why did you
not apply? What specific concerns, if any, do you have about the
process and how might HUD address those concerns?
8. For Tribal Entities, are there specific requirements in the NOFO
which make it challenging for you to apply for a grant?
9. For Tribal Entities, are there inconsistencies among the
housing, people or neighborhood goals and objectives of the Choice
Neighborhoods program, as outlined in the NOFO, and the goals and
objectives of your tribe, which impact your ability to apply for and
receive a Choice Neighborhoods grant?
B. Post-Award: Program Experience and Requirements
10. Are there any program goals, processes, policies, or
requirements that are working well? Are there any processes or
requirements with the Planning or Implementation Grants that are
particularly important to maintain?
11. Are there any Choice Neighborhoods program requirements
affecting Planning or Implementation grantees that are unnecessary or
complicated, and could be streamlined or removed? (e.g., budget
revision process, CN Inform data system, Planning Grant Transformation
Plan deliverables). Please provide recommendations for how such
requirements could be revised. Be specific.
12. Are there any processes that, if streamlined, would allow
grantees to meet funding deadlines and thus expedite grant outcomes
(e.g., housing construction, neighborhood improvements, provision of
services)? Please provide recommendations for how such requirements
could be revised. Be specific.
13. Do you have any other suggestions for improving the day-to-day
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implementation of a Choice Neighborhoods Planning or Implementation
Grant?
14. How does the Choice Neighborhoods' core ``housing'' goal of
creating a mixed-income community fit with your local housing goals?
15. Does your community have significant barriers to any of the
Choice Neighborhoods' housing objectives or program requirements? Are
there any housing goals or requirements that are particularly
burdensome?
16. How does the Choice Neighborhoods' core ``people'' goal fit
with your community's supportive services, human capital, or resident
engagement goals? Are there any people goals or requirements that are
particularly burdensome?
17. Does the Choice Neighborhoods' core ``neighborhood'' goal fit
with your community's neighborhood improvement goals? Are there any
neighborhood goals or requirements that are particularly burdensome?
C. General
18. How did you hear about the Choice Neighborhoods program (e.g.,
word-of-mouth, HUD staff, conferences)?
19. If you received a Choice Neighborhoods Planning or
Implementation grant, would you recommend that others apply? Why or why
not?
20. Please provide any additional comments or suggestions about the
Choice Neighborhoods program implementation or application selection.
Thank you for participating in this request for information. HUD
looks forward to reviewing all responses received.
Dominique Blom,
General Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Public and Indian
Housing.
[FR Doc. 2024-17822 Filed 8-9-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-67-P
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