“We are excited to work alongside the City of Gainesville, our residents, neighbors and community partners to create an implementable plan that will bring a brighter future for our community,” said Davis.

The strategic partnership between the GHA and City marks a significant step toward turning the East University Avenue neighborhood into a thriving, inclusive and vibrant place for residents. This aligns with goals prioritized by the Gainesville City Commission and promoted by Mayor Harvey Ward, who has emphasized the need for innovative projects in East Gainesville since taking office in January.

“I’m thrilled for our entire community, and particularly for East Gainesville,” said Mayor Ward. “This is exactly the sort of transformational opportunity I had in mind when I made the motion nearly two years ago for the city to partner with the Gainesville Housing Authority. It’s the kind of visionary, working relationship that HUD tends to reward and that will change thousands of lives for the better in our city.”

The application earned 90 out of a maximum 104 points, and was scored on factors including need, soundness of approach and leverage for planning. The two-year plan includes opportunities to engage residents and community stakeholders in creating a vision for the East University Avenue neighborhood.

Choice Neighborhood Planning Grants support the development of comprehensive neighborhood revitalization plans to replace distressed public housing or other HUD-assisted housing with high-quality, mixed-income housing. Transformation plans must focus on directing resources to address three core goals: Housing, People, and Neighborhood. More information can be found through this link.

For more information, contact GHA COO Malcolm Kiner at 352-727-2039 or Malcolmk@gnvha.org or City of Gainesville Public Information Officer Rossana Passaniti at 352-318-9599 or PassanitiR1@GainesvilleFL.gov.