What is Choice Neighborhood?

The Choice Neighborhood (CN) program is a grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and will help revitalize the Coopersdale Community and the surrounding West End neighborhood. Managed by the Johnstown Housing Authority (JHA), the funding will help JHA to redevelop the Coopersdale Community, a 121 housing complex that requires improvements. The West End neighborhood will also be prioritized to help with the challenges it has faced over the years such as access to resources and investment opportunities. This grant will help with three main values:

People: connect individuals and families that reside in Coopersdale Community and West End with resources that support their growth in education programs, access to affordable childcare, healthy food options, safe recreational areas, employment opportunities, and mobility;

Housing: modernize the current housing units to reflect the current needs of individuals and families as part of a larger neighborhood investment strategy; and

Neighborhood: improve the planning area as a viable, prosperous community with access to services and amenities that improves living conditions and encourages investment (e.g., schools, educational programs, recreational areas, commercial development, public transportation, employment, and infrastructure).

JHA was awarded the grant funding, what happens now?

JHA received a $500,000 CN Planning grant to help in the revitalization of the West End neighborhood and specifically the Cooperdale Community properties. They will lead a planning initiative to create a guiding document for neighborhood investment and redevelopment of housing into a mixed-income community. The timeline for this project is about 2.5 years with an anticipated completion date in 2027.

Together with community members, public and private agencies, philanthropic organizations, and other stakeholders, JHA will work to assess existing conditions, identify needs, and leverage resources to help carry out and employ the plan.

What's the role that community stakeholders will play in this plan?

Individuals are encouraged to participate in the planning process from day one, to help create a plan that reflects their needs and concerns. Their knowledge, feedback, and insight on the West End will help to reimagine, design, and implement the policy and physical changes necessary to revitalize the community. This planning initiative is about forming relationships, helping families and neighbors, and aspiring to create a thriving place for all.

Everyone can engage with the plan by participating in community meetings and workshops, interacting in group activities, attending fun events, and applying to be a Community Ambassador (see below for more information).

What People projects could result from the plan?

People projects are community based activities or initiatives that address issues affecting individuals. The plan will call for their input on current needs and concerns through various engagement activities. This helps identify programs, services, and amenities to be considered and implemented in the plan. One way to determine this is by households completing a survey which will be issued during the planning process. Recent CN plans focused on expanding daycare options, assistance with building technical skills for employment, improving public transit, and providing programs for youth and senior citizens.

What Neighborhood improvements could result from the plan?

This depends largely on the community and market conditions. Previous CN plans have led communities to reuse vacant school buildings, redevelop storefronts, have brought in grocery stores, improved parks + open space, invested in safer sidewalks + streets + bike paths, and created business incubators.

The planning process relies on the community’s vision for the West End, their goals, concerns, and needs. Community involvement is necessary for this plan to work, especially when it comes to the Early Action Project (see the next question below).

What is the Early Action Activity?

As part of the CN planning grant, approximately $125,000 will be dedicated to identifying and building an “Early Action Activity,” in the West End during the summer of 2025. This short-term goal aims to encourage the community to help identify, lead, and implement a project that enhances the area with placemaking ideas such as public art, cultural promotion, and economic growth.

Are there hiring opportunities?

YES! JHA will need Community Ambassadors to help with engagement, data gathering, plan feedback, help organize events + meetings, and participate in other project tasks. A stipend will be provided to those hired. JHA will issue out a job posting in the coming weeks.

What is mixed-income housing?

Mixed-income housing is defined as providing high-quality, affordable housing in an area for people of various income levels. Households, the people living within a house, with low to moderate or higher incomes live next to one another. This helps long time families to remain in the community, reduces fear of displacement, and keeps them in proximity to city services and employment; while welcoming new people into the neighborhood.

How much housing will be redeveloped and where would it go?

The quantity and type of housing will depend on community feedback, data analysis, and market conditions. A market study will be performed to help determine options that are financially feasible. Redeveloped housing will be located onsite at Coopersdale and throughout the West End by identifying properties suitable for residential and other development uses. The CN plan requires 100% replacement of the Coopersdale housing units as part of new mixed-income.

Do individuals and families need to move out during the planning process?

No, they do not need to move out. The planning process will involve the exploration of potential future housing options. No major changes will occur at Coopersdale Community for at least 5-7 years.

What happens after the West End Choice Neighborhood Plan is completed?

JHA will create partnerships with public and private agencies, philanthropic organizations, and other stakeholders to generate funds that help implement the goals stated in the plan. JHA will also apply for HUD’s CN Implementation Grant to help leverage additional financial resources.