Bristol, Virginia receives federal grant for housing revitalization [Video]

BRISTOL, Va. (WJHL) — $500,000 was awarded Monday to Bristol, Virginia’s Redevelopment and Housing Authority from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Fewer than twenty communities nationwide received the Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant for this fiscal year.

According to the HUD website, the Choice Neighborhoods program focuses on the redevelopment of “severely-distressed public housing” and/or HUD-assisted housing through a comprehensive approach to neighborhood transformation.

Lisa Porter, Executive Director of the Bristol Redevelopment and Housing Authority, said she’s pleasantly surprised to find Bristol was one of 13 communities awarded.

“This is just a huge shock to me and all of us,” said Porter. “But it’s the good surprise, the good news that you want to get.”

The money will be used for a variety of housing improvement projects across the city.

“We’re looking to target distressed public housing, but it also includes some commercial development and neighborhood revitalization …