HUD's Choice Neighborhoods brings public housing redevelopment, expanded health, education, and workforce opportunities to Mt Ephraim residents

Camden Housing Authority Board Chairperson; Deborah Person-Polk; HUD NJ Field Office Director Maria Maio Messano; U.S. Senator Cory Booker; Camden Mayor Dana Redd; HUD D/Assistant Secretary for Public Housing Investments Dominique Blom; Camden Housing Authority Executive Director Victor Figueroa; U.S. Senator Robert Menendez; U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded $13.2 million to the City of Camden to redevelop severely distressed public housing and revitalize the surrounding neighborhood. The award was announced BY HUD Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Housing Investments Dominique Blom at a press conference with Senator Robert Menendez, Senator Cory Booker, Congressman Donald Norcross, and Camden Mayor Dana Redd. This award follows Camden's designation as a HUD Promise Zone in April 2015.

The Housing Authority of the City of Camden and the City of Camden are being awarded the Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant for the Mt. Ephraim South Neighborhood. A gateway neighborhood in the southern portion of Camden, Mt. Ephraim South is home to over 5,000 residents. Once a neighborhood dominated by subsidized housing, the Mt. Ephraim South Neighborhood has several successful HOPE VI redevelopments, and Clement T. Branch Village - a severely distressed, 210-unit public housing development - will be the city's final traditional public housing site to be redeveloped.

While the neighborhood has struggled with poverty and high vacancy, it is well situated with easy access to downtown Camden, the Philadelphia International Airport, and Philadelphia through the high speed PATCO commuter rail and NJ Transit bus service. Mt. Ephraim South is positioned to attract additional neighborhood investment on top of the Choice Neighborhoods grant, including expanded health, education, and workforce opportunities for families, and targeted neighborhood improvements along and around the main thoroughfare of the neighborhood, the Mt. Ephraim corridor.

Also in attendance at the announcement were Camden County Freeholders Lou Cappelli and William Moen; Camden City Council President Frank Moran as well as Members Brian Coleman and Angel Fuentes. Stakeholders Coopers Ferry Partnership, Michaels Development, Camden Redevelopment Agency, Better Tomorrows, the Camden City School District, and Center for Family Services will partner in these efforts to transform the Mt. Ephraim South into a neighborhood of opportunity.

###