Easton Housing Authority
Greater Easton Development Partnership
City of Easton

The Choice Neighborhoods Initiative is a Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program that employs a comprehensive approach to neighborhood transformation by revitalizing distressed public and/or assisted housing and catalyzing critical improvements in the neighborhood. In 2020, the Easton Housing Authority, in partnership with the Greater Easton Development Partnership and the City of Easton were awarded a Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant.

With this grant, the Authority created the West Ward Choice Neighborhood Plan to build upon a 2019 Neighborhood Plan, targeting three core areas for redevelopment and updating and adapting previous planning efforts to focus on the core goals of People, Housing and Neighborhood.

The plan’s strategy of community engagement was to employ three Housing Authority residents to serve as community ambassadors. Trained and coached on engagement techniques, the ambassadors have become “champions” for the plan. Residents were further involved in working group meetings, community meetings, youth engagement and needs assessment surveys. The resulting plan goes beyond bricks and mortar to address broader issues such as education, health, safety, economic development, and other supportive services.

Part of the process is to have early successes that demonstrate that the plan can make a difference. During the planning process, $150,000 was allocated for community-defined early action projects. These included little free libraries, a community garden, and a neighborhood gateway signage initiative. The plan also led to the successful award of a $1.1 million state grant to fund a community bike works club and “safe routes to school” program.

Perhaps most impactful thus far, the plan has led to the strategic acquisition of two properties. The first site, adjacent to an existing apartment development, will permit new construction to expand the number of affordable and mixed-income housing units. The second site is a former large nursing home. This site will allow for the partnership to move forward with a build-first strategy for 50 units, before demolishing any existing Housing Authority units.

HUD acknowledged the efforts of the team to refine a considerable amount of work and include possible financing plans, a mix of incomes, a mix of uses and recreational amenities in several compelling design solutions. The Chapter’s Award Committee concurred with HUD’s assessment, noting that the plan was graphically imaginative, reflected an emphasis on community design, and included practical solutions with a list of actions, partners, timeframe, and probable costs.