Community Transformation - Six Months of Progress with Our Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant
Community Transformation - Six Months of Progress with Our Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant
Six months ago, WE embarked on an ambitious journey after we received the Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Today, we’re excited to share the significant progress we’ve made in laying the groundwork for transformative community development that will benefit residents and businesses for generations to come.
What is the Choice Neighborhoods Program?
The Choice Neighborhoods Program represents HUD’s signature community development initiative, designed to transform distressed neighborhoods into vibrant, mixed-income communities of opportunity. Unlike traditional housing programs that focus solely on physical improvements, Choice Neighborhoods takes a holistic approach that addresses housing, people, and neighborhood development simultaneously.
Our planning grant provides the essential foundation for this comprehensive transformation, enabling us to engage deeply with community members, conduct thorough assessments, and develop a roadmap for sustainable change.
Six Months of Meaningful Progress
Community Engagement at the Forefront
The heart of our Choice Neighborhoods planning process has been authentic organic community engagement. Over the past six months, we’ve:
• Conducted thorough community meetings across different locations and times to ensure maximum accessibility
• Engaged residents through one-on-one conversations
• Established Community Ambassadors with dedicated resident leaders representing diverse voices from Morrell Todd Homes and the Greater Kingston neighborhood
• Launch the #1Kingston Campaign to unite the neighbors across all sectors including Cross-Tenth, Baby Kingston, and Morrell Todd Homes.
The enthusiasm and dedication of community members has been remarkable. Residents have shared their dreams for the neighborhood while also providing honest feedback about current challenges. This input forms the backbone of our planning efforts.
Comprehensive Needs Assessment:
Our planning team continues to perform extensive research and analysis to understand the neighborhood’s current conditions and opportunities:
Housing Assessment: We are conducting a detailed analysis of housing conditions, affordability gaps, and rehabilitation needs across all 456 housing units in the target area.
Community Assets Mapping: Our team has identified existing community assets, including local businesses, community organizations, schools, and informal gathering spaces that serve as neighborhood anchors.
Economic Analysis: We’ve examined employment patterns, income levels, and economic opportunities, revealing both challenges and untapped potential for local economic development.
Infrastructure Review:
A comprehensive assessment of streets, sidewalks, lighting, parks, and other infrastructure elements will be conducted to identified priority improvement areas.
Building Strategic Partnerships
Successful neighborhood transformation requires strong partnerships. Over the past six months, we’ve established collaborative relationships with:
• Local school districts to align educational improvements with housing and community development
• Healthcare providers to address health disparities and improve access to quality care
• Workforce development organizations to create pathways to employment for residents
• Local businesses to support economic development and job creation
• City departments to coordinate infrastructure improvements and policy changes
These partnerships ensure that our transformation plan will be comprehensive, sustainable, and responsive to community needs.
Data-Driven Planning
We are beginning to gather and analyze extensive data to inform our planning decisions:
• Demographic and economic baseline data for households in the target area
• Housing market analysis covering rental rates, home values, and development trends
• Transportation patterns showing how residents access employment, services, and amenities
• Health and safety indicators to identify priority areas for intervention
This data provides the evidence base for our strategies and will help us measure progress over time.
Looking Ahead: The Next Six Months
As we enter the stage of our planning grant period, we’re focused on translating community input and research findings into actionable strategies:
Drafting the Transformation Plan
We’re developing comprehensive strategies across three core areas:
Housing: Creating a mix of affordable and market-rate housing options while preserving affordability for current residents.
People: Expanding access to quality education, healthcare, workforce development, and supportive services.
Neighborhood: Improving infrastructure, creating community spaces, and supporting local economic development.
Continued Community Engagement
Community voice remains central to our process. In the coming months, we’ll:
• Present draft plan elements to the community for feedback
• Conduct additional focus groups on specific strategies
• Organize community design charrettes for key development sites
• Continue monthly Community Advisory Committee meetings
Preparing for Implementation
• While our current grant focuses on planning, we’re already laying the groundwork for implementation by:
• Identifying funding sources for priority projects
• Building the organizational capacity needed for long-term transformation
• Establishing systems for ongoing community engagement and feedback
• Creating partnerships that will support implementation efforts
Community Impact Already Visible
Even during the planning phase, our Choice Neighborhoods work has generated positive momentum:
• Increased civic engagement with more residents participating in community meetings and local government
• New partnerships between previously disconnected community organizations
• Successful advocacy for immediate improvements like enhanced street lighting and expanded transit service
• Growing sense of optimism among residents about the neighborhood’s future
How You Can Stay Involved
Community transformation is most successful when residents remain engaged throughout the process. Here’s how you can continue to be part of this important work:
• Attend our monthly community meetings: Kingston Neighborhood - Fourth Monday of each month at Royal Event Center and Todd Homes - Second Thursday at the Community Center.
• Follow our progress on social media
• Share your ideas through our online platform or by contacting our community engagement team
• Volunteer for community events and planning activities
• Spread the word by talking with your neighbors about opportunities to get involved and taking the survey
Gratitude and Acknowledgments
The progress we’ve achieved over these first six months wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication and partnership of many individuals and organizations. We’re grateful to HUD for their support through the Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant, to our community partners who have opened doors and shared resources, and most importantly, to the residents who have generously shared their time, experiences, and vision for the future.
Moving Forward Together
As we complete the first half of our planning grant period, we’re energized by the foundation we’ve built and excited about the transformation plan taking shape. The next six months will be crucial as we finalize strategies, secure community buy-in, and prepare for transformation.
The Choice Neighborhoods approach recognizes that lasting change takes time, requires sustained effort, and must be driven by community voice. We’re committed to this long-term vision while celebrating the meaningful progress we’ve achieved together.
Our neighborhood has tremendous assets—dedicated residents, strong community organizations, and strategic location—that position us well for successful transformation. With continued community engagement, strategic partnerships, and data-driven planning, we’re building the foundation for a thriving, inclusive community that offers opportunity for all residents.
The next six months will bring the completion of our transformation plan and the beginning of a new chapter in our neighborhood’s story. We invite everyone to be part of writing that story together.
Join us on Thursday, June 19, 2025 at Stockham Park for our #1Kingston, An Empowered Community event.
