DHCD works closely with the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) on Choice Neighborhoods work throughout the city. HUD has awarded Philadelphia three Choice Neighborhoods Implementation (CNI) grants, and four Choice Neighborhoods Planning grants . These projects have three core pillars:

1. Housing: Replace severely distressed public and HUD-assisted housing with high-quality mixed-income housing that is well-managed and responsive to the needs of the surrounding neighborhood.
2. People: Improve the lives of residents living in the target housing related to their income and employment, health, and education outcomes; and
3. Neighborhood: Create strong, safe, and sustainable neighborhoods by investing in physical improvements which attract private investment, spur economic development and improve amenities and services for residents.

While PHA leads Housing and People projects, DHCD serves as the lead for Neighborhood projects.

The planning grants include: Sharswood, Bartram and Harrison

Sharswood/Blumberg Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant:

In April of 2020, HUD awarded the City of Philadelphia a $30 million grant to implement the Sharswood/Blumberg Transformation Plan. The grant is scheduled to conclude in the Fall of 2027. Prior to the Implementation Grant, Philadelphia completed a Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant for Sharswood/Blumberg.

Projects include:

Housing:

• Development of PHA’s new headquarters and shopping center on Ridge Avenue
• Demolition of original Norman Blumberg Apartment
• 1,216 rental units
• 264 owner-occupied units

People:

• Increase financial literacy and family asset building
• Train and place residents in career-oriented, living wage jobs
• Provide attainable, affordable first-time homeownership opportunities
• Nurture small business development

Neighborhood:

• Support small businesses by improving storefronts along the Ridge Avenue
• Implement streetscape improvements along Ridge Avenue
• Install public art (murals and sidewalk poetry) throughout the neighborhood
• Repair facades of owner-occupied houses
• Create placemaking opportunities at Sanctuary Farms

For more information visit the Sharswood/Blumberg Choice website.  You can view a map of the target neighborhood.

Bartram/Kingsessing Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant:

In July of 2023, HUD awarded the City of Philadelphia a $50 million grant to implement the Blossom at Bartram Choice Neighborhoods Transformation Plan. The grant is scheduled to conclude in 2031. Prior to the Implementation Grant, Philadelphia completed a Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant for Bartram/Kingsessing.

Projects goals were established as part of the planning process, which included extensive community engagement. They include:

Housing:

• Provide attractive, affordable housing and a healthy built environment at Bartram Village.
• Promote healthy, affordable housing and homeownership opportunities throughout the Bartram Choice neighborhood.
• Create a healthy outdoor environment that promotes physical exercise, social experiences, and wellness.
• Establish an environment that promotes positive mental health and healing.

People:

• Cultivate a local employment training ecosystem that aligns with neighborhood needs and opportunities.
• Develop a pathway to success beginning in early childhood.
• Nurture a culture of literacy at Bartram Village.
• Enhance the physical health of residents by expanding access to a wider range of quality health services.

Neighborhood:

• Foster a safe neighborhood day and night for residents of all ages.
• Improve access to nutritious, affordable food.
• Enhance the existing transportation network through safe street crossings, trail connections, and increased walkability.
• Develop a clean and green network of streets along primary circulation routes that connect major services, amenities, and green spaces to Bartram Village and the waterfront.
• Strengthen the identity and vibrancy of the neighborhood.

For more information visit the Bartram/Kingsessing Choice website.  You can view a map of the target neighborhood.

Yorktown/Harrison Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant:

In the Fall of 2023, PHA and the City of Philadelphia ware awarded a $500,000 planning grant. The goals for each pillar were developed during the two-year community driven process that culminated in submission of the Harrison Choice Neighborhood Plan in September of 2025. They include:

Housing:

• Create a safe, accessible, and secure residential environment.
• Preserve community character and enhance green spaces.
• Promote community cohesion and provide essential amenities for the full range of Harrison residents.
• Ensure long-term housing stability and affordability for Harrison residents and neighbors.

People:

• Support Harrison children in preparing to enter Pre-K and Kindergarten ready to learn and connected to necessary in-home and school-based resources and supports.
• Redevelop the Harrison Community Center as a vital, vibrant, and safe public space for residents.
• Ensure the schools attended by Harrison youth are safe, welcoming, and healthy places that prepare students to imagine and realize any future they desire.
• Connect adult Harrison residents with a meaningful choice of pathways to economic stability, mobility, and self-sufficiency.
• Support Harrison residents of all ages to identify and achieve individual educational goals and milestones that matter to them.
• Connect all Harrison households to digital and online resources for personal fulfillment and professional success.
• Support Harrison households in accessing the resources necessary to manage and reduce chronic health conditions in the community.
• Ensure affordable access to sufficient healthy and fulfilling food for all Harrison/Yorktown households.
• Ensure the Harrison/Yorktown community maintains access to affordable, high-quality, and convenient healthcare options.

Neighborhood:

• Create a safe, stable, family-friendly community.
• Foster a sense of community pride and ownership.
• Promote a safe, walkable and connected neighborhood that supports an active, healthy lifestyle.
• Promote preservation and improvements for neighboring homeowners.
• Build community cohesion by improving accessibility and usage of public spaces.

For more information visit the Yorktown/Harrison Choice website.  You can view a map of the target neighborhood.

North Central Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant:

In 2014, HUD awarded a $30 million CNI grant to Philadelphia for the North Central neighborhood.

For more information visit the North Central Choice website. You can also view maps of the North Central Philadelphia Choice Neighborhood.

The grant was completed in October 2021. Accomplishments include:

• PHA redeveloped the 147 Norris Apartments and 70 vacant lots. The 297 new homes include:
  • 147 rental replacement units for Norris residents.
  • 90 affordable rental units.
  • 30 market-rate rental units.
  • 30 affordable and workforce housing units for sale.
• PHA partnered with Temple University to connect Norris residents to:
  • Health and wellness services to help residents be physically and mentally healthy.
  • Employment training and job placement to make households financially stable.
  • Educational programs so that youth graduate from high school ready for college and jobs.
  • The Norris Community Resident Council, working with Temple’s School of Education, leads an after-school/summer camp program.
• DHCD worked with local partners to reduce blight and increase safety. Highlights include:
  • Turning a large vacant lot into Philabundance’s Community Kitchen.The kitchen offers food service training and placement services for 220 students.
  • Making lighting and art improvements at SEPTA rail line underpasses.These steps promote safety and community connections. The Mural Arts Program, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, and the Streets Department are key partners.
  • Increasing access to recreation and community programs through resident-guided improvements to the 8th and Diamond Playground.

The following Planning grants have been completed:

• “We Are Mantua!” – Mantua Choice Neighborhoods Transformation Plan (2013)*
• North Central Philadelphia Choice Neighborhoods Transformation Plan (2014)
• Sharswood Blumberg Neighborhood Transformation Plan (2015)
• “Blossom at Bartram” – Bartram Choice Neighborhoods Transformation Plan (2020)

* Note: Mt. Vernon Manor, Inc. conducted the Mantua Transformation Plan as the lead grantee for the project. Learn more about the outcomes of the plan on the Mount Vernon Manor Community Development Corporation website here.