Choice Neighborhoods Overview
Choice Neighborhoods is a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
initiative that builds on the earlier HOPE VI program. While HOPE VI focused on redeveloping distressed public housing, Choice Neighborhoods takes it a step further, targeting entire communities to create lasting, positive change.
The program aims to reduce social and housing barriers while promoting local investment and increasing opportunities for all. It focuses on three core goals:
- Housing: Replace distressed public and assisted housing with high-quality, mixed-income homes.
- People: Enhance residents’ access to education, employment opportunities, and healthcare resources.
- Neighborhoods: Attract public and private investment to create vibrant, safe, and opportunity-rich communities.
HUD offers two types of grants:
Planning Grant
Supports the development of a community-led Transformation Plan.
Award: up to $500,000
Timeline: 2.5 years
Implementation Grant
Supports communities that are ready to implement their plans and initiate redevelopment.
Award: up to $50,000,000
Timeline: 8 years
Upcoming Events
More events coming soon!
Fort Wayne's Choice Neighborhood
Fort Wayne’s Path to the Planning Grant Award
Choice Neighborhoods Lead Grantee: Fort Wayne Housing Authority
Target Public Housing Project: Tall Oaks Apartments
Target Neighborhood: Southeast Fort Wayne Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (SEFW CNI)
Grant Award Amount: $500,000
Fort Wayne, Indiana, is a growing Midwestern city with a deep industrial heritage and a commitment to inclusive redevelopment. While parts of Southeast Fort Wayne have long faced disinvestment and systemic barriers, the community is rich in cultural assets, historic neighborhoods, and strong local pride. With a $500,000 Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant from HUD, the Fort Wayne Housing Authority is leading a collaborative effort to revitalize Tall Oaks Apartments and the surrounding SEFW CNI neighborhood. The goal is to create a resident-driven Transformation Plan that addresses housing challenges, expands opportunities for families, and attracts new investment to the neighborhood, building a stronger, more equitable future for all.
“This award will provide Fort Wayne Housing Authority, the City of Fort Wayne, residents, and stakeholders an opportunity to bring the community and planning partners together to create a viable and actionable Transformation Plan for southeast Fort Wayne.” “The board and staff of Fort Wayne Housing Authority see this as a unique once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to revitalize an important neighborhood in our community through housing investments, enhanced services for our residents, and physical neighborhood improvements.” – George Guy, CEO/Executive Director
Highlighting the Southeast Fort Wayne Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (SEFW CNI)
The planning area boundary was defined using HUD’s criteria, which consider factors like long-term vacancy, concentrated poverty, and housing need. As required, it includes Tall Oaks Apartments—a HUD-designated distressed public housing site and the primary focus of the revitalization effort. While this boundary guides the core planning efforts, it is not a limit. Revitalization strategies will also reach into surrounding areas to support a more connected, inclusive, and unified Southeast Fort Wayne community.
Community Engagement
Town Hall Visioning Sessions
- November 8, 2023 – SEFW CNI Town
- Hall Visioning Session I
- February 15, 2024 – SEFW CNI Town Hall Visioning Session II
Community Meetings
- September 12, 2024 – Draft Plan Review Community Meeting
- June 11, 2025 – Final Plan Unveiling Meeting
Resident Advisory Committee Meetings
- Monthly since May 2023
Advisory Committee Meetings
- December 14, 2023
- June 18, 2024
Steering Committee Meetings
- December 14, 2023
- June 18, 2024
- September 4, 2024
Focus Group Meetings
- August 23, 2023 – Housing & Development
- August 30, 2023 – Neighborhood Housing
- September 6, 2023 – Economic Development
- September 13, 2023 – Youth & Education
- September 20, 2023 – Health & Wellness
- September 27, 2023 – Environment & Sustainability
- October 4, 2023 – Mobility & Connectivity
- October 11, 2023 – Doing While Planning (Early Action Activity)
Key HUD Milestones
Throughout the planning process, several necessary steps were taken to guide progress and support the overall success of the project. These key steps included:
- Comprehensive community engagement
- Transformation plan outline with content
- Transformation plan draft
- Transformation plan final
- Early action activity completion
Early Action Activity
Early Action Activities are physical projects completed during the planning grant term that showcase the arrival and presence of a Choice neighborhood. Throughout the SEFW CNI planning process, residents were heavily involved in exploring potential projects, participating in discussions, and providing valuable input. The community collectively agreed that establishing a community garden and improving pedestrian safety measures would be the most beneficial.
Pedestrian Safety Improvements
Project 1: Crosswalks and Flashers
Well-marked crosswalks with solar-powered flashers will be installed at the intersection of East Tillman Road and Decatur Road to ensure safe crossing areas for residents, particularly children and seniors.
Status: In Progress
Project 2: Placemaking Signage
Erecting clear and attractive breakaway signage to establish the SEFW CNI Neighborhood branding and guide residents, visitors, and motorists safely around the median and through the neighborhood.
Status: In Progress
Project 3: Sidewalk Improvements
Sidewalk improvements that include the rehab of the current sidewalks along Woodside Avenue.
Status: Complete
Community Garden
Many senior residents at Tall Oaks Apartments have expressed concerns about the limited availability of age-friendly spaces, social activities, and access to fresh food. To address these challenges, residents are leading the creation of a community garden, designed to promote wellness, connection, and access to healthy produce. The resident-led Community Garden Committee will manage the garden with support from the SEFW CNI planning team.
Status: In Progress
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
MORE INFORMATION
For questions or more information, please email us at [email protected]