HUD Awards $1 Million Choice Neighborhood Grant to Louisville

Planning and action grant to kick start revitalization in Russell neighborhood

Russell Resident Outreach Speaker Vachal Hudson and HUD Kentucky Field Office Director Christopher Taylor speaking with a government student during the announcement of the HUD Choice Neighborhoods grant in Louisville, Kentucky.

Recently, HUD Kentucky Field Office Director Christopher Taylor presented a $1 million Choice Neighborhoods Grant to the Louisville Metro Housing Authority for the Russell neighborhood. This is the second grant that has been awarded that can build upon planning that has already began through the first grant of $425,000 in January 2015, and is designed to stimulate affordable housing and economic development. Funded through HUD's Choice Neighborhoods Initiative, this award will help local leaders to craft comprehensive, homegrown plans to revitalize and transform this neighborhood and includes funding for action activities.

"No child should be limited in life by the ZIP Code where they were born," said HUD Secretary Julián Castro. "We're kick starting the revitalization in 10 distressed neighborhoods across the country. These grants will lay a firm foundation upon which we'll build better, more thoughtful neighborhoods that are more connected to all the opportunities their communities have to offer." 

"We are proud of the progress that the Russell neighborhood has made since receiving their first grant that made them a top contender to receive this additional funding," said Taylor. "The Russell neighborhood is full of potential that can be realized with the vision and passion of the local residents, the Louisville Metro Housing Authority, and local leaders coupled with funding from programs like Choice Neighborhoods and other public and private dollars."

"We are grateful for HUD's recognition of the work that Louisville Metro and the residents of Russell have been doing to reimagine this historic neighborhood," said Mayor Greg Fischer. "Russell has momentum and this $1 million grant will accelerate that momentum toward a neighborhood that is safer, cleaner, healthier - and economically vibrant."

"It could mean a lot for the neighbors and the residents of the neighborhood in general. There could no longer be a 9th Street and West End divide - It could just be Louisville in general," said 25-year-old Vision Russell resident and outreach worker Vachal Hudson.

Planning and Action Grant funds enable activities including:

• Reclaiming and recycling vacant property into community gardens, pocket parks, farmers' markets, or land banking;
• Beautification, place making, and community arts projects;
• Homeowner and business façade improvement programs;
• Neighborhood broadband/Wi-Fi;
• Fresh food initiatives; and
• Gap financing for economic development projects.

*Read comprehensive summaries of the grants announced.

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