Lee Walker Heights Considered for Redevelopment
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| Photo: Urban News |
by Johnnie Grant
The City of Asheville and the Housing Authority of the City of Asheville (HACA) recently enter into a joint “Memorandum of Understanding for a HUD ‘Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant’.” Approximately 20 planning grants will be awarded by HUD (the US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development) at an average of $300,000 each.
In a 2007-08 assessment study conducted by HACA, the administration explored the possibilities of using HUD HOPE VI funds to transform its public housing communities. A report released by HACA in October 2008 concluded that of four housing developments to be considered, Lee-Walker Heights and Pisgah View Apartments remained viable candidates. HACA then determined that Lee-Walker Heights was the more “stressed” of the two and best met the criteria for HOPE VI consideration.
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| Photo: Urban News |
Since then, the current federal administration has renamed the HOPE VI program to “Choice Neighborhoods,” and has broaden its scope beyond housing replacement to address neighborhood and social issues, with a focus on education, stability, and housing choices.
The four criteria for consideration in the Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant for project redevelopment are: age of the property, overall appearance, vacancy rates, and police calls for services. Based on the age of the development (built in 1949), a poverty rate of 40 percent, and the highest per capita violent crime rate of any public housing (key factors in the HUD compliance assessment), Lee-Walker Heights met the criteria.
HACA submitted an application for the Choice Neighborhood funding in compliance with the August 8th, 2011 deadline. This planning grant award will enable HACA to takes steps towards developmental planning.
