Trenton Housing Authority Secures $15 Million Grant for Choice Neighborhoods Initiative
The Trenton Housing Authority (THA) is proud to announce a significant milestone for the Trenton Choice Neighborhood Application. The application was partially funded with a grant of $15 million, marking a crucial step forward in the community’s transformation efforts.
“This $15 million grant secured by the Trenton Housing Authority (THA) and the City of Trenton marks a pivotal moment for the city’s residents,” said Sen. Corey Booker. “This funding, which is part of a larger investment from the Biden-Harris administration to revitalize seven communities across our nation, will expand access to safe, affordable housing. Everyone deserves the chance to thrive in their community, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact of this initiative on Trenton’s future.”
“As New Jersey’s sole appropriator, I am so proud to see $15 million in federal housing support from the Biden-Harris Administration flowing into our community,” said Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12). “I know the Trenton Housing Authority will use this crucial infusion of resources to support Trentonians and New Jerseyans who need help most. Affordable, accessible housing is a fundamental human right that no person, no family, no child should have to live without. I am so grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration for working with local leaders to provide this funding and support for our communities.”
“This funding represents substantial progress towards our goal of $50 million,” said Jelani Garrett, Executive Director of the Trenton Housing Authority. “It underscores the dedication and collaboration of our team, residents, and community partners throughout this rigorous process. The journey to securing this funding demonstrates our unwavering commitment to inclusivity and community engagement.”
This grant is 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 aim 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. President Biden and HUD Acting Secretary Todman emphasize that this funding is an investment in buildings, infrastructure, and people. By enhancing housing options, the administration remains committed to building neighborhoods where everyone has the chance to thrive.
Chrysti Huff, THA’s Director of Redevelopment, said, “Thanks to close collaboration with residents and stakeholders, our approach reflects the heart of our community. This funding is about so much more than buildings; it’s about enhancing residents’ lives and creating new opportunities for everyone in our community to thrive. We are proud of this milestone, and we are motivated to reach the next one.”
Looking ahead, THA is focused on assessing how this funding will impact the project scope. In the coming weeks, detailed updates will be provided as discussions with HUD continue and additional funding opportunities are explored. The Choice Neighborhoods program has led to new businesses, parks, and grocery stores in historically disinvested neighborhoods nationwide. Resident incomes are increasing across most sites, in some cases doubling. The seven new Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grantees will collectively develop over 6,500 new mixed-income units, including the one-for-one replacement of 2,677 severely distressed public housing units.
Choice Neighborhoods is HUD’s signature program 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 are being awarded to cities in Tennessee, Texas, Alabama, Florida, Nevada, New York, and New Jersey, while an additional $19.5 million is being allocated to current grantees in Arizona, Louisiana, Maine, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia.
To achieve their local goals, grantees leverage the funds they receive from HUD with other public and private resources. The seven new awardees will collectively invest more than $2.65 billion in additional resources within the Choice Neighborhood area – so that every $1 in HUD funds will generate $8.65 in additional resources.
“You cannot overstate the transformative nature of Choice Neighborhoods investments in these communities. These awards are made in neighborhoods in greatest need, but awardees demonstrate 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.
THA extends heartfelt gratitude to all partners for their unwavering support throughout this journey. Continued involvement is essential as the next phases of this transformative initiative are navigated.
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. For more information, visit tha-nj.org.