Murchison Choice Neighborhoods 2025 Grant Application Partnership Certification and Leverage Letter

Summary

This item concerns the City of Fayetteville's application for the FY2025 Murchison Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant. The city is partnering with the Fayetteville Metropolitan Housing Authority (FMHA), Pennrose, LLC, and Urban Strategies, Inc. to revitalize the Murchison Townhouses and Elliott Circle developments and the surrounding neighborhood. The application details a comprehensive transformation plan focusing on housing, neighborhood improvements, and people-centered services.

Key components of the plan include:

• Housing: Demolishing existing public housing and developing 323 mixed-income rental units across three phases, with a total new housing development cost of $95.7 million. Public housing residents will have a right to return, paying 30% of their income for rent.
• Neighborhood: Investments in 35 homeownership units, 35 business façade upgrades, 30 residential façade upgrades, trail access, gateway signage, and placemaking improvements, totaling approximately $20.89 million in leverage over eight years.
• People: Family supportive services focused on economic self-sufficiency, youth and adult education, health and wellness, and community engagement, with an allocation of $3.9 million for these initiatives.

The city previously applied for this grant and was not selected, but has since refined its application based on HUD's feedback, focusing on feasibility and addressing specific concerns. The grant amount requested is $26 million.

Citizen Impact

Residents in the Murchison neighborhood can expect significant improvements including new and revitalized housing options, enhanced community amenities like parks and trails, and expanded access to job training and supportive services. The project aims to create a more vibrant and economically stable neighborhood.

Confidence

high