Funding-Limited Submission – U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development – Choice Neighborhoods Initiative – Planning Grants; June 27, 2011

The U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announces the availability of approximately $3.6 million in FY2011 funds for Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grants. HUD anticipates awarding 17-22 Planning grants of up to $300,000 each.

Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grants will support the development of comprehensive neighborhood revitalization plans which, when implemented, may be expected to achieve the following three core goals:

1. Housing: Transform distressed public and assisted housing into energy efficient, mixed-income housing that is physically and financially viable over the long-term;

2. People: Support positive outcomes for families who live in the target development(s) and the surrounding neighborhood, particularly outcomes related to residents’ health, safety, employment, mobility, and education; and

3. Neighborhood: Transform distressed, high-poverty 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.

To achieve these core goals, communities must develop and implement a comprehensive neighborhood revitalization strategy, or Transformation Plan. This Transformation Plan will become the guiding document for the revitalization of the public and/or assisted housing units, while simultaneously directing the transformation of the surrounding neighborhood and positive outcomes for families.

The full announcement can be accessed at:  http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=98093

Click on Full Announcement at the top of the page.

An applicant may submit a maximum of three applications.

Because HUD allows an applicant to submit only three applications, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to submit the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Monday, June 27, 2011:

• Names and departments of the Principal Investigator(s), project personnel, collaborating institutions and/or other partners
• Planned title, location and category of the project
• Narrative (maximum 3 pages) containing Project Objectives and Project Description

· Budget, including the required 5% match and potential source of funds. Note:  Because of ongoing commitments, the Office of the Vice President for Research is unable to provide matching funds.

The Vice President for Research will appoint a committee to review this material and make recommendations.  The federal deadline is August 8, 201l.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663).