U.S. Representative Dan Kildee addresses the crowd about the large grant awarded to the city of Flint, Mich., by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on Friday, Jan. 16, 2015, at City Hall, located off of South Saginaw Street in Flint. The $500,000 grant is part of HUD's Choice Neighborhoods Initiative program and will be used to help with the redevelopment of distressed public housing in the area. (AP Photo/The Flint Journal, Sam Owens)
The Associated Press
FLINT, Mich. (AP) - Flint is getting $500,000 from the U.S. Department Housing and Urban Development to help plan revitalization of its Atherton East and South Saginaw Corridor areas.
The money announced Friday is one of several Choice Neighborhoods planning grants that are going to communities around the country. The funding is expected to help craft comprehensive, locally driven plans to revitalize and transform the areas.
Flint and the Flint Housing Commission are partnering to address crime and other challenges facing the Atherton East public housing development and the surrounding community. Meanwhile, the South Saginaw Corridor is facing blight and other issues.
Flint Mayor Dayne Walling says the funding "gives us the opportunity to work hand in hand with the Flint Housing Commission and residents to break the cycle and reconnect families to opportunity."
Megan Hunter, director of planning and development for the city of Flint, Mich., answers questions Friday, Jan. 16, 2015, from the public about the about the large grant awarded to the city of Flint by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The $500,000 grant is part of HUD's Choice Neighborhoods Initiative program and will be used to help with the redevelopment of distressed public housing in the area. (AP Photo/The Flint Journal, Sam Owens)
The Associated Press
Flint, Mich., Mayor Dayne Walling, left, answers questions Friday, Jan. 16, 2015, from the public about the large grant awarded to the city of Flint by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development alongside Megan Hunter, center, director of planning and development for the city of Flint, and Geraldine Redmond, right, Vice President of the Flint housing commission board of commissioners in Flint, Mich. The $500,000 grant is part of HUD's Choice Neighborhoods Initiative program and will be used to help with the redevelopment of distressed public housing in the area. (AP Photo/The Flint Journal, Sam Owens)
The Associated Press