The Trenton Housing Authority and the City of Trenton have been awarded $1.3 million 2019 Choice Neighborhoods Planning and Action Grant with Trenton being one four cities in the nation to receive funding. The grant will support the development of a comprehensive neighborhood Transformation Plan and to catalyze change for Donnelly Homes in the North Trenton-Battle Monument neighborhood.
“We are thrilled to be selected for this prestigious grant, but the real winners are the residents of our communities” said Jelani Garrett, Executive Director of the Trenton Housing Authority. “The competition is fierce for the Choice Neighborhoods grants. Our team pulled together to craft an amazing grant proposal. We would not have been successful without the collaboration of a myriad of community partners who are committed to improving the quality of life in Trenton. We are determined to be actively engaged in the revitalization of Trenton’s neighborhoods. This grant will help make it happen.”
“The Trenton Housing Authority and our own Housing and Economic Development Department deserve a round of applause for what they’ve achieved here.” Asserted Mayor Reed Gusciora. “We’re building the Fed’s faith in us. Time and time again we have been able to prove that investing in Trenton is the right decision. I cannot wait to see how this transforms not only Donnelly Homes, but the neighborhood at-large.”
“This is a great win for the Trenton Housing Authority and the City of Trenton,” said Greater Trenton CEO George Sowa. “Our Capital City will benefit immensely from more high-quality housing, creating a ripe environment for public and private reinvestment.”
The Trenton Housing Authority’s application was chosen among 20 competing projects from across the nation, winning a quarter of the total $5.15 million in grant funds. The committee governing the Choice Neighborhoods Planning and Action grant commended the Donnelley Homes project as “a viable, feasible approach to plan for neighborhood transformation.”
Planning and Action Grants enable communities to create a rigorously-developed plan and build the support necessary for neighborhood transformation to be successful. In addition to the planning process, the Planning and Action Grant supports innovative community and economic development activities that enhance and accelerate neighborhood change.