The Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) recommends Council approval of an Ordinance authorizing the execution of a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Choice Neighborhood Implementation Grant Agreement, and related forms and documents, between the City of Houston, the Houston Housing Authority, and HUD by the Mayor, or the Mayor’s designee.
Upon direction of the previous administration, on December 30, 2023, Houston Housing Authority, as Lead Applicant, and the City of Houston, as Co-Applicant, submitted a joint application (Application) to HUD for a $50,000,000.00 HUD Choice Neighborhood Implementation Grant (Grant) to support the redevelopment of Cuney Homes/Third Ward.
The Grant was awarded by HUD on July 16, 2024, with a period of performance of July 17, 2024 through September 30, 2032. HUD now seeks execution of the associated Grant Agreement by the Lead and Co-Applicants by mid-October, in order to secure the Grant.
Specifically, the Choice Neighborhood Implementation Grant will fund the relocation of 553 Cuney Homes residents and the demolition of all onsite structures, providing an opportunity to develop the 32.68-acre site into a community of choice with 885 new apartments. This Grant, through leverage funding requirements, will also spur additional investment in the Third Ward to include additional high-quality mixed-income housing, upgraded and resilient neighborhood infrastructure, and a comprehensive, transformative human services initiative designed to improve life outcomes for Third Ward residents.
This is a reimbursement grant, and funding will be managed by the Lead Applicant, the Houston Housing Authority. No funding will be available to the City of Houston.
Fiscal Note:
No Fiscal Note is required on grant items.
The Housing and Community Affairs Committee Chair was briefed on this item on September 20, 2024.
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Michael Nichols, Director