WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) applauded an announcement by Secretary Shaun Donovan that Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) will receive nearly $30 million to revitalize a Columbus neighborhood by ensuring affordable housing and helping to attract additional economic development. The funds were awarded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) FY2013 Choice Neighborhoods Implementation grant program. This month, Brown sent a letter of support to Assistant Secretary Sandra Henriquez of HUD, asking her to consider CMHA’s grant application.

“These new federal resources will help revitalize a major section of the Near East Side of Columbus,” Brown said. “By building high-quality, mixed-income housing, local leaders can help revitalize this community and help attract new economic development and jobs. I applaud Secretary Donovan for his support of this project.  This investment shows a strong commitment by HUD to helping local communities transform into safe, modern areas that ensure affordable housing for local residents and attract additional development.”

CMHA will use these funds for a revitalization project through the Partners Achieving Community Transformation (PACT) initiative, a partnership between CMHA, The Ohio State University, and the City of Columbus that aims to revitalize Columbus’ Near East Side neighborhood. To replace the deteriorating Poindexter Village, PACT will develop mixed-income housing serving up to 350 families and more than 100 seniors. PACT, along with Urban Strategies and Columbus City Schools, will also aid residents of all ages in finding resources for education, child care, job training, and healthcare. Finally, local businesses’ investments will allow PACT to provide area residents with access to community services such as community centers and a fire station.

HUD’s Choice Neighborhoods program aids struggling neighborhoods transform their public or HUD-assisted housing through locally developed strategies. More information about the program can be found here.

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