$15M HUD Grant Sparks Celebration and Check Presentation in Trenton
The Trenton Housing Authority (THA) spent the morning celebrating a significant milestone in the Trenton Choice Neighborhood Application. THA, in collaboration with the City of Trenton, successfully secured a $15 million HUD Choice Neighborhoods grant, marking a crucial step forward in the community’s transformation efforts.
Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) noted, “As New Jersey’s sole appropriator, I was proud to see $15 million in federal housing support flowing into our community. The Trenton Housing Authority planned to use this crucial infusion of resources to support Trentonians and New Jerseyans who need help most. Affordable, accessible housing is a fundamental human right, and I was grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration for providing this funding and support for our communities.”
The event featured remarks from Jelani Garrett, Executive Director of THA, alongside local leaders including Mayor Reed Gusciora; Antoinnette Ritchie, President of the Donnelly Home Resident Council; Darlene Weldon-Gordon, Chairwoman of the Trenton Housing Authority Board of Commissioners; Congresswoman Bonnie Watson-Coleman; HUD Assistant Secretary Dr. Kimberly McClain; and Alicka Ampry-Samuel, HUD Region II Administrator.
The THA’s Garrett emphasized the significance of the achievement, stating, “This funding represented substantial progress towards our goal of $50 million. It underscored the dedication and collaboration of our team, residents, and community partners throughout this rigorous process. The journey to securing this funding demonstrated our unwavering commitment to inclusivity and community engagement.”
The grant was part of a broader initiative by the Biden-Harris Administration and HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman, who announced $325 million in Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant funding to seven communities nationwide. These grants aimed to revitalize neighborhoods by redeveloping distressed housing, offering high-quality mixed-income options, and providing essential services focused on income, health, and education for residents.
Mayor Gusciora expressed optimism about the grant’s impact, stating, “This grant will be a catalyst for positive change in the North Ward Battle Monument neighborhood. It will not only provide better housing options but also improve the overall quality of life for our residents. By investing in our communities, we are fostering an environment where economic development can thrive and create opportunities for all Trentonians. We are grateful to the Biden Administration for recognizing the potential of Trenton and supporting our efforts to build a brighter future for our city.”
Chrysti Huff, THA’s Director of Redevelopment, added, “Thanks to close collaboration with residents and stakeholders, our approach reflected the heart of our community. This funding was about so much more than buildings; it was about enhancing residents’ lives and creating new opportunities for everyone in our community to thrive. We were proud of this milestone, and we were motivated to reach the next one.”
THA is now focused on assessing how this funding will impact the project scope. Nationally, the Choice Neighborhoods program leads to new businesses, parks, and grocery stores in historically disinvested neighborhoods. Resident incomes increase across most sites, in some cases doubling. The seven new Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grantees collectively plan to develop over 6,500 new mixed-income units, including the one-for-one replacement of 2,677 severely distressed public housing units.
The Choice Neighborhoods program is HUD’s signature initiative and the largest place-based program in the federal government, emphasizing a comprehensive “Housing, People, and Neighborhood” approach to community investment. It supports cities nationwide in expanding affordable housing options and improving neighborhood amenities, leveraging public and private resources to achieve local goals. New grants were awarded to cities in Tennessee, Texas, Alabama, Florida, Nevada, New York, and New Jersey, while an additional $19.5 million was allocated to current grantees in Arizona, Louisiana, Maine, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia.
“You cannot overstate the transformative nature of Choice Neighborhoods investments in these communities. These awards were made in neighborhoods in greatest need, but awardees demonstrated the vision, diligence, and capacity to leverage these funds to expand housing supply and provide vital resources to residents,” said Richard J. Monocchio, HUD’s Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing.
About Trenton Housing Authority:
THA is an autonomous body that is chartered by the City of Trenton and the State of New Jersey, with partial funding by the federal government through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners, the THA is committed to providing decent, safe, and sanitary housing that is thoroughly constructed, carefully maintained, and expertly managed. The THA seeks to identify projects that have the potential to act as a catalyst for the revitalization of neighborhoods in the City of Trenton. In an effort to promote self-sufficiency among the families that reside in its communities, the THA partners with local agencies and organizations to provide education, training, employment, and business opportunities for its residents.
