NEWARK, N.J. – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker and U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (D-N.J.-01) today announced that the City of Camden and its Housing Authority have been awarded a $350,000 Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to advance the city’s efforts to transform the city’s East Camden neighborhood.

“This critical funding to help revitalize Camden recognizes the importance of empowerment, investment, and opportunity. This is a locally-driven plan to improve quality housing, education, and services to secure a better future for Camden’s families, said Sen. Menendez, the ranking member of the Senate Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development. “That’s why I’ve always fought for the resources Camden and other New Jersey communities need to transform their visions into reality.”

“This federal funding is another example of our shared commitment to helping strengthen Camden as this great city continues down a path of resurgence,” said Sen. Booker. “Helping lift up our most vulnerable families and creating opportunities through federal investments like this is the key to strengthening our neighborhoods. By increasing access to safe, affordable housing, quality education and creating jobs, this federal funding will help bolster Camden’s continued growth.”

"Everyone deserves an affordable, safe place to call home,” said Congressman Donald Norcross, a Camden City resident. “These funds will help change lives and transform neighborhoods in Camden, and I will always support efforts like this that improve our city. Camden is rising – with more jobs, less crime and better educational opportunities – and this grant is another step in our city’s great revitalization.”

The neighborhood plan incorporates redevelopment, rehabilitation, and housing strategies as the basis for overall neighborhood transformation with a focus on creating new connections along key corridors that link residential areas with schools, open space, transit, and retail amenities.

“The Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant award is the first step towards developing a comprehensive plan to improve the quality of life for our Marlton and East Camden communities,” said Camden Mayor Frank Moran. “I thank Senator Menendez, Senator Booker, Congressman Norcross and HUD officials for their ongoing support as we transform our City. I also commend our partners at the Housing Authority of the City of Camden for being selected as a part of this nationwide competition. I realize in order for our inclusive redevelopment to be effective it takes strong partners and a collaborative effort. I can proudly say that we have both here in Camden.”

“This Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant will enable the City of Camden to continue their urban transformation and revitalization efforts,” said Lynne Patton, HUD Regional Administrator for New York and New Jersey. “These critical HUD resources will create a better quality of life for residents and their families. I look forward to doing everything possible to ensure Camden’s continued success.”

Camden received a $300,000 Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Planning Grant in 2012 to design a plan for the Mount Ephraim neighborhood, and in 2016, it became the first New Jersey applicant to receive an Implementation Grant. The City of Camden and its Housing Authority were awarded a $13.2 million grant to revitalize the Mount Ephraim Neighborhood. Asbury Park, Newark and Jersey City have also previously received Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grants.

In the past Camden has been awarded with $1,469,347 from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to fund street improvements in downtown Camden, provide connections to the region’s major transportation center, revitalize the area, and support initiatives that expand the competitiveness of the existing industrial clusters and revitalization project spearheaded by a $16.2 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant awarded in July from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).

Sen. Menendez is the lead sponsor of the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Act, legislation to make the initiative permanent and to ensure that it is adequately funded.