The Virgin Islands Housing Authority invites the residents of the West Christiansted Neighborhood of St. Croix to a transformation planning meeting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 20, at the University of the Virgin Islands St. Croix Campus. The planning meeting is to discuss the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Choice Neighborhood Initiative Grant, which offers funding to housing authorities to develop comprehensive transformation plans including three core goals:
1. Housing – to transform distressed public and assisted housing to energy–efficient, mixed-income housing that is physically and financially viable
2. People – support positive outcomes for families related to residents’ health, safety, employment, mobility and education
3. Neighborhood – transform distressed neighborhoods into viable, mixed-income neighborhoods with access to well functioning services, quality public schools and education programs, public assets, public transportation and improved access to jobs.
The Housing Authority believes Ralph deChabert Place and the West Christiansted neighborhood including John F. Kennedy Terrace and D. Hamilton Jackson Terrace provide unique opportunities to leverage HUD funding to create a Transformation Plan that when implemented successfully achieves the core goals of the initiative. Success of the transformation plan requires collaboration that involves the community throughout the planning process including VIHA and neighborhood residents and public and private stakeholders.
The Housing Authority will provide free transportation to and from the meeting for its residents, as well as language and hearing and visually impaired assistance. Residents are asked to please make arrangements through their Housing Management offices. For further information about the planning meeting please contact Irma F. Hodge, director of public relations and resident services at 715-7332.
