Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative?
The HUD Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CN) employs a comprehensive approach to neighborhood transformation. The program helps communities by revitalizing distressed public (and/or assisted) housing while investing and leveraging investments in:
Well-functioning services and public assets
High quality public schools/education programs
High quality early learning programs/services
Public transportation and mobility
Improved access to jobs
The CN will ensure that current residents will be able to benefit from this transformation by preserving affordable housing or providing residents with the choice to move in to affordable and accessible housing in another existing neighborhood of opportunity.
The Choice Neighborhoods Initiative is focused on three core goals:
Housing: Transform distressed public and assisted housing into energy efficient, mixed-income housing that is physically and financially viable over the long term.
People: Support positive outcomes for families who live in the target developments and the surrounding neighborhood, particularly outcomes related to residents’ education, health and recreation, safety, employment, and mobility; and
Neighborhood: Transform distressed neighborhoods into viable, mixed-income neighborhoods with access to well-functioning services, high quality public schools and education programs, high quality early learning programs and services, public assets, public transportation, and improved access to jobs.
Where does Jackson fit in?
JHC and the City are required to develop and implement a comprehensive neighborhood improvement strategy, or Transformation Plan. This Plan will become the guiding document for the revitalization of the public housing units while simultaneously directing positive transformation of the surrounding Downtown neighborhood. To successfully develop and implement the Transformation Plan, JHC and the City will work with Reed Manor residents, public and private agencies, community and philanthropic organizations, neighborhood residents, and other identified individuals and stakeholder groups to gather and leverage resources needed to support the strategic and financial sustainability of the Plan.
What happens now?
The planning process kicked off in early 2022, and will be completed in late 2023.
How is the Downtown Jackson community unique?
The Downtown Jackson neighborhood was selected for its tremendous opportunities and strategic location at the center of the region. the Downtown neighborhood represents the true spirit and energy of the city of Jackson. This Downtown boasts historic structures, a rich artistic culture, award-winning dining and a thriving business community. Despite these unique assets, Downtown Jackson continues to face challenges relating to affordable housing, business development, circulation, and safety and security. This Plan will help to create a roadmap for how to address these challenges through creative and innovative approaches.
What do we hope to achieve with the Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant?
The grant will be used to bring the community and planning partners together to create a viable and actionable Transformation Plan for the Downtown Jackson community, which can be implemented utilizing a variety of local, state and national resources. The grant will also be utilized to develop and construct a catalytic Early Action Project that will benefit all residents of the community.
Reed Manor includes 294 units of low-income housing built in the 1960s. The CN Plan will seek to replace 100% of those housing units within the neighborhood, or in other areas of opportunity as part of new mixed-income developments.
How does this relate to the Rental Assistance Demonstration Program (RAD)?
JHC is looking to improve its properties and preserve affordable housing by “converting” the federal public housing subsidy to the Section 8 program through the RAD program. The CN Plan would help to direct the potential improvements for the Reed Manor property.
How will we work with the community?
When residents are genuinely at the center of a planning process, a unique outcome unfolds. Relationships become the focal point of the work. This is because for residents, planning is personal – it’s about their children, their families, their homes, their neighbors and their streets. It is about making their day-to-day lives better in real time. As we envision, design, and seek to implement the investment and physical changes necessary to revitalize the community, local residents will be engaged from day one, so that they can help to assume a leadership role in the process.
How can this benefit the neighborhood in the short-term?
The planning team will dedicate approximately $176,000 to identify and build an “Early Action Project” that will have an immediate positive benefit for the community. We need your involvement to help come up with these important ideas!
What is the CNI Implementation Grant?
Following completion of the CN Plan, JHC and the City will be eligible to apply for a CNI Implementation Grant, which could provide approximately $30 - $50 million towards Housing, People, and Neighborhood Initiatives.
Are there resident hiring opportunities as part of this process?
Yes, we will be looking to identify a set of Community Ambassadors to assist with resident engagement, data gathering and Plan feedback. Ambassadors would be provided a stipend for their effort.
Who Should I Contact with Questions?
Laurie Ingram - Executive Director
Jackson Housing Commission
301 Steward Ave Suite C, Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 787-1188
l.ingram@jacksonhousing-mi.org