Choice Neighborhoods is the U.S. Department of Housing (HUD) and Urban Development’s signature place-based initiative to address the unrecognized challenges in neighborhoods of distress by comprehensively investing in people and neighborhood assets.

In June 2023, Lake Charles was awarded a $40 Million grant as a 1st time applicant beating out 16 other cities around the nation.​​

As partners of the Mid-City CN grant, the Lake Charles Housing Authority, the City of Lake Charles, HRI Communities, and Urban Strategies, Inc. are committed to the equitable development of the Mid-City community to promote prosperity for all.

The Impact

• Mid-City Neighborhood Transformation deconcentrates poverty while ensuring no one is displaced.
• It creates 500-800 mixed-income homes, which are low-income and market-rate families in identical units and buildings with housing for families, single people, seniors, and those with disabilities.
• This approach can bring over $200 million of investment into the neighborhood in 5 to 7 years
• Neighborhood parks, retail, and community amenities
• Increased household incomes, health out-comes, and improved education for current and new families in the neighborhood