The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced Tuesday it has awarded more than $5 million in grants to four communities, including $1.3 million to a city in New Jersey.
The grants, funded through HUD’s Choice Neighborhoods program, expand on the department’s commitment to helping local communities redevelop severely distressed HUD-assisted housing and revitalize neighborhoods.
HUD said it provided a grant to the Trenton Housing Authority and the City of Trenton to redevelop Donnelly Homes and North Trenton’s Battle Monument neighborhood.
“This Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant marks the beginning of a much needed boost to Trenton’s promising Battle Monument neighborhood and restore it to its former glory to create a safe, bustling community Trenton residents can enjoy,” Lynne Patton, HUD regional administrator for New York and New Jersey, said. “Donnelly Homes will also receive a path to redevelopment that will provide HUD-assisted residents with homes they can be truly proud of.”
Grants like these, so says Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, can have impact beyond the neighborhoods’ borders.
“This HUD funding is going to help propel and build on the progress being made in Trenton’s downtown district,” Oliver, who serves as Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, said. “Gov. (Phil) Murphy and I thank the partners from state, local and federal government that are working together to create positive housing and revitalization solutions that will benefit the residents of Trenton and the State of New Jersey.”
The revitalization effort in Trenton will be guided by planning and design firm Wallace Roberts and Todd with key partners including: Smith Family Foundation; Mercer County Community College; Mercer County Workforce Development Board; Mercer County Office of Training & Employment Service; Capital Health; Isles, Inc.; Capital Area YMCA; Trenton Health Team; Grace Cathedral Fellowship Ministries; NJ Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency; NJ State Capital Partnership; and The College of New Jersey.
“We are thrilled to be selected for this prestigious grant, but the real winners are the residents of our communities” said Jelani Garrett, Executive Director of the THA. “The competition is fierce for the Choice Neighborhoods grant. Our team pulled together to craft an amazing grant proposal. We would not have been successful without the collaboration of a myriad of community partners who are committed to improving the quality of life in Trenton. We are determined to be actively engaged in the revitalization of Trenton’s neighborhoods. This grant will help make it happen.”
