[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 155 (Monday, August 12, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65653-65656]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[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 
www.regulations.gov. HUD strongly encourages commenters to submit

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comments electronically through www.regulations.gov. 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 www.regulations.gov 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 https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/telecommunications-relay-service-trs. Copies of all comments submitted 
are available for inspection and downloading at www.regulations.gov.

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 [email protected]. 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 https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/telecommunications-relay-service-trs.

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\ https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/PIH/images/FY23ChoiceImplementationFR-6700-N-34(mod).pdf.
    \4\ https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/PIH/documents/FY24_CN_Planning_Grants_NOFO_FR-6800-N-38.pdf.
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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:
     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.
     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.
     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.
     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:
     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.
     Income and Employment Opportunities. The income of 
residents, particularly wage income for non-elderly/non-disabled adult 
residents, increases over time.
     Quality Health Care. Residents have increased access to 
health services and have improved physical and mental health over time.
     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:
     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.
     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.
     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.
     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.
     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. https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/PIH/documents/FY24_CN_Planning_Grants_NOFO_FR-6800-N-38.pdf.
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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