,,ii #aacth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #dcg ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,march #d1 #bjac ,mr4 ,menendez introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,april #bb1 #bjac ,committee discharged2 referred to the ,committee on ,banking1 ,housing1 and ,urban ,affairs ,a ,,bill ,to authorize the ,department of ,housing and ,urban ,development to transform neighborhoods of extreme poverty into sustainable1 mixed-income neighborhoods with access to economic opportunities1 by revitalizing severely distressed housing1 and investing and leveraging investments in well-functioning services1 educational opportunities1 public assets1 public transportation1 and improved access to jobs4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,choice ,neighborhoods ,initiative ,act of #bjac4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4 ,sec4 #b4 ,findings and purposes4 ,sec4 #c4 ,grant authority4 ,sec4 #d4 ,eligible entities4 ,sec4 #e4 ,eligible neighborhoods4 ,sec4 #f4 ,authorized activities4 ,sec4 #g4 ,interagency consultation and notification of available funding4 ,sec4 #h4 ,transformation plan and selection4 ,sec4 #i4 ,program requirements4 ,sec4 #aj4 ,definitions4 ,sec4 #aa4 ,demolition and disposition4 ,sec4 #ab4 ,administration by other entities4 ,sec4 #ac4 ,withdrawal of funding4 ,sec4 #ad4 ,annual report4 ,sec4 #ae4 ,program evaluation4 ,sec4 #af4 ,funding4 #b4 ,findings and purposes 7a7 ,findings ,congress finds that-- 7#a7 the geographic concentration of poverty remains a serious and often unrecognized challenge to the ability of poor families and children to access opportunity and move up the economic ladder2 7#b7 the ,,hope ,,vi program1 authorized by section #bd of the ,united ,states ,housing ,act of #aicg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcgv71 presented a successful first step in transforming neighborhoods of extreme poverty with severely distressed housing into revitalized mixed-income neighborhoods2 7#c7 there remains a large amount of severely distressed public and privately owned assisted housing concentrated in neighborhoods of extreme poverty2 and 7#d7 a broader approach is needed1 using concentrated and coordinated neighborhood investment from multiple sources to transform neighborhoods of extreme poverty into communities that will improve the quality of life of current and future residents4 7b7 ,purposes ,the purposes of this ,act are-- 7#a7 to transform neighborhoods of extreme poverty into mixed-income neighborhoods of long-term viability1 by revitalizing severely distressed housing1 improving access to economic opportunities1 and investing and leveraging investments in well-functioning services1 effective schools and education programs1 public assets1 public transportation1 and improved access to jobs2 7#b7 to grow communities and metropolitan areas by concentrating1 leveraging1 and coordinating ,federal1 ,state1 local1 and private funding for public transportation1 education1 housing1 energy1 health and mental health services1 supportive services1 public safety1 and environmental programs and initiatives2 7#c7 to support positive outcomes for all neighborhood residents1 including improvements in educational achievements1 and economic self-sufficiency2 and 7#d7 to ensure that current residents benefit from transformation by preserving affordable housing in the neighborhood or providing residents with the choice to move to affordable housing in another neighborhood of opportunity4 #c4 ,grant authority ,the ,secretary is authorized to make competitive grants to eligible entities that submit transformation plans that will further the purposes of this ,act in eligible neighborhoods4 #d4 ,eligible entities ,entities eligible to be grantees under this ,act include local governments1 public housing agencies1 community development corporations 7as defined in section #bjd7;b77#aa7 of the ,departments of ,veterans ,affairs and ,housing and ,urban ,development1 and ,independent ,agencies ,appropriations ,act1 #aiig 7#ab ,u4,s4,c4 #agaez-#aa;a7b77#aa7771 assisted housing owners1 and other for-profit and nonprofit entities4 #e4 ,eligible neighborhoods ,eligible neighborhoods for grant funds under this ,act include neighborhoods with-- 7#a7 a concentration of extreme poverty2 7#b7 severely distressed housing2 and 7#c7 a potential for long-term viability1 once key problems are addressed1 including neighborhoods with characteristics such as proximity to educational institutions1 medical centers1 central business districts1 major employers1 effective transportation alternatives 7including public transit1 walking1 and bicycling7 and being close to low-poverty neighborhoods4 #f4 ,authorized activities 7a7 ,in general ,activities authorized to be funded under this ,act are those that will further the purposes of this ,act1 in accordance with a transformation plan approved under section #h1 to carry out transformational programs and initiatives4 7b7 ,required activities ,the following authorized activities shall be contained in the transformation plan to be submitted under section #h and implemented by a grantee under an approved transformation plan3 7#a7 ,the transformation of housing through rehabilitation1 preservation1 or demolition1 or any combination thereof1 and replacement of severely distressed housing projects that incorporates energy efficient design principles4 7#b7 ,activities that promote the economic self-sufficiency of residents of the revitalized housing and of the surrounding neighborhood4 7#c7 ,activities that preserve affordable housing in the neighborhood and other activities necessary to ensure that existing residents have access to the benefits of the neighborhood transformation4 7#d7 ,activities that demonstrate that each tenant relocated from severely distressed housing who wishes to return to the revitalized on-site housing in the neighborhood or to replacement housing outside of the neighborhood1 can return1 and shall be provided a preference in accordance with the program requirements in section #i7;a74 7#e7 ,activities that meet the program requirements for replacement of housing units in section #i7;b74 7#f7 ,activities that meet the fair housing program requirements in section #i7;c7 and the accessibility requirements in section #i7;d74 7#g7 ,appropriate service coordination1 support services1 mobility counseling1 and housing search assistance for residents displaced as a result of revitalization of severely distressed projects4 7#h7 ,involvement of residents of severely distressed housing and of the neighborhood in planning and implementation of the transformation plan1 including reasonable steps to help ensure meaningful participation for residents who1 as a result of their national origin1 are limited in their ,english proficiency4 7#i7 ,relocation assistance1 including tenant-based rental assistance renewable under section #h of the ,united ,states ,housing ,act of #aicg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcg;f71 and supportive services for families that are displaced1 including mobility and relocation counseling over multiple years1 reasonable moving costs1 and security deposits4 7#aj7 ,tracking of tenants relocated during redevelopment throughout the life of the grant or until full occupancy of replacement housing1 whichever is longer4 7#aa7 ,links to local education efforts1 as described in subsection 7c77#d74 7c7 ,eligible activities ,in addition to the activities required under subsection 7b71 activities eligible for funding under this ,act include-- 7#a7 construction1 acquisition or rehabilitation of public1 assisted1 and privately owned housing that incorporates sustainable design principles1 including energy efficiency2 7#b7 construction1 acquisition1 or rehabilitation of mixed-use developments that include public or assisted housing2 7#c7 the acquisition1 demolition1 or disposition of properties1 including ,federal ,housing ,administration-foreclosed properties2 7#d7 partnering with local educators1 and engaging in local community planning1 to help increase access to place-based programs that combine a continuum of effective community services1 strong family support1 and comprehensive education reform to improve the educational and life outcomes for resident children and youth2 7#e7 providing support services for residents primarily focused on case management1 service coordination 7including family self-sufficiency coordinators71 workforce development1 financial literacy and technical assistance to enable residents to access programs from other key agencies and local service providers1 in order to help residents with stable housing1 improve outcomes for children1 enhance adults' capacity for self-sufficiency and economic security1 and services for the elderly and persons with disabilities to maintain independence2 7#f7 rehabilitation1 physical improvement and development of community facilities that are primarily intended to facilitate the delivery of economic1 community1 and supportive services which have a significant benefit to residents of housing assisted by the grant and residents of off-site replacement housing2 7#g7 work incentives designed to help public and assisted housing residents access jobs and move toward self-sufficiency2 7#h7 partnerships involving the police1 community organizations1 and other entities to reduce crime and promote safety2 7#i7 partnering with employers and for-profit and nonprofit organizations to create jobs and job training opportunities1 with a focus on job opportunities accessible by mass transit2 7#aj7 activities that promote sustainable neighborhoods and incorporate principles of sustainable design and development2 7#aa7 critical community improvements not otherwise covered by this ,act2 and 7#ab7 loss reserves to protect residents of housing assisted by the grant and continue the project in case of default1 foreclosure1 or any other adverse financial event4 7d7 ,eligible methods of support ,activities carried out with amounts from a grant under this ,act may be carried out through-- 7#a7 endowments1 revolving loan funds1 reserves or other instruments that the ,secretary approves for tenant services and ongoing operating and capital needs2 and 7#b7 land assembly and land banking4 7e7 ,funding restrictions 7#a7 ,restriction on activities 7,a7 ,in general ,no funds made available under this ,act may be used for construction or rehabilitation of a ,k-#ab school building or a higher educational institution4 7,b7 ,non-housing activities and supportive services ,for each grant under this ,act1 the grantee shall comply with each of the following requirements3 7i7 ,not more than #cj percent of the amount of the grant may be used for eligible activities under paragraphs 7#d7 through 7#ab7 of subsection 7c74 7ii7 ,not more than #e percent of the amount of the grant may be used for eligible activities under paragraphs 7#h7 and 7#i7 of subsection 7c74 7#b7 ,waiver ,the ,secretary may waive the funding limits in this subsection in order to promote the purposes of this ,act4 #g4 ,interagency consultation and notification of available funding 7a7 ,annual consultation ,the ,secretary shall consult with appropriate ,federal agencies to identify additional funding opportunities that may be available to eligible neighborhoods and ensure that eligible entities are aware of such opportunities as follows3 7#a7 ,the ,secretary shall consult with the ,secretary of ,labor1 the ,secretary of ,education1 the ,secretary of ,transportation1 the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services1 the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency1 and other agencies1 as the ,president may prescribe4 7#b7 ,the ,secretary shall include in the notification of funding availability for ,choice ,neighborhoods information about other ,federal funding opportunities that the ,secretary deems related to the ,choice ,neighborhoods program4 7#c7 ,the ,secretary shall consult with the ,secretary of ,labor1 the ,secretary of ,education1 the ,secretary of ,transportation1 the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services1 the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency1 and other agencies1 as the ,secretary may prescribe1 to identify barriers to and opportunities for greater coordination of ,federal resources for meeting the purposes of this ,act4 7b7 ,reports to ,congress ,the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 issue a report to the ,committee on ,banking1 ,housing1 and ,urban ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,financial ,services of the ,house of ,representatives identifying barriers and opportunities to the coordination of ,federal funding to meet the purposes of this ,act1 including any regulatory or statutory recommendations for addressing such barriers2 and 7#b7 issue an annual report to be posted on the agency ,web site that identifies ,federal funding opportunities for eligible neighborhoods and best practices in coordinating ,federal funding for purposes of this ,act4 #h4 ,transformation plan and selection 7a7 ,transformation plan ,an application for a grant under this ,act shall be submitted in the form of a transformation plan that-- 7#a7 demonstrates how the transformation plan will achieve the desired priority outcomes of transforming a distressed neighborhood of extreme poverty into a mixed-income neighborhood with high-quality1 safe1 affordable housing1 economic opportunities1 well-functioning services1 public assets1 access to jobs1 public transportation1 and effective education programs and public schools1 including charter schools and other autonomous public schools2 7#b7 includes a long-term affordability plan that describes how the grantee will maintain affordable housing in the neighborhood over the succeeding #ej years or longer1 including affordability provisions relating to dwelling units provided using assistance under the grant under this ,act1 and an agreement by the applicant to update such plan every #e years during such period2 7#c7 demonstrates how the required activities under section #f7;b7 will be carried out1 with particular focus on the housing transformation2 7#d7 describes the other eligible activities listed in section #f7;c7 that will occur in support of the housing transformation2 7#e7 defines desired outcomes of the strategy1 identifies the population that will benefit1 describes the challenges they face1 and the evidence base that informs the proposed strategies that will result in the desired outcomes for the community and residents2 and 7#f7 includes such other information and shall be submitted at such time and in accordance with procedures as the ,secretary shall prescribe4 7b7 ,selection criteria ,the ,secretary shall establish criteria for the award of grants under this ,act1 which shall include the extent to which the transformation plan-- 7#a7 demonstrates the ability of the plan to further the purposes of this ,act1 as evidenced by1 among other factors1 a track record of effective partnerships and community engagement2 7#b7 demonstrates inclusive local planning with input from local government1 housing owners and providers1 educators1 residents1 local community organizations1 public schools1 early learning programs1 health service organizations1 and community stakeholders in the development and implementation of a sustainable revitalization program2 7#c7 coordinates multiple funding resources1 including public1 private1 and philanthropic funding1 and emphasizes collaboration between the local government1 early learning programs1 and public schools1 or a public housing agency1 or all three2 7#d7 submits current data showing that the neighborhood targeted for revitalization is in need of and can benefit from the authorized activities described in section #f and proposed in the transformation plan2 7#e7 demonstrates that the neighborhood has1 or will have1 the potential for long-term viability2 7#f7 demonstrates the capability and record of the applicant and its partners for managing housing redevelopment or modernization projects and meeting performance benchmarks2 7#g7 demonstrates that sustainable building and energy efficient design principles are incorporated or will be incorporated in the activities2 7#h7 demonstrates that the neighborhood has1 or will have within a reasonable time1 public transportation that provides effective access to economic opportunities and commercial and public services2 7#i7 demonstrates that the residents of revitalized housing developments have or will have access to high-quality educational opportunities1 including early learning and effective ,k-#ab public schools1 in or outside of the neighborhood2 7#aj7 demonstrates that the transformation plan includes the provision of appropriate supportive services and activities that promote economic self-sufficiency of residents1 and a plan to sustain those services2 7#aa7 demonstrates that the transformation plan provides support for residents displaced as a result of the revitalization of the project1 including assistance in obtaining housing in areas with low concentrations of poverty and minority populations2 7#ab7 demonstrates that sufficient housing opportunities are available in the neighborhood to be revitalized and in nonminority1 low-poverty areas to accommodate displaced residents2 7#ac7 has a well-documented assessment of the number of households with special needs for ongoing supportive services residing in the public or assisted properties that are the target of the grant and an effective plan to address those needs2 7#ad7 demonstrates the ability to leverage funds from-- 7,a7 other programs of the ,department of ,housing and ,urban ,development2 7,b7 other ,federal1 ,state1 or local programs2 or 7,c7 the private sector1 including donations of land or services2 7#ae7 replaces the public and assisted housing units in accordance with section #i7b71 if targeting a project that meets the definition of section #aj7i77;,b72 7#af7 demonstrates1 if feasible1 phased redevelopment that provides for demolition and construction of dwelling units in phases1 to limit disruptions to residents2 7#ag7 demonstrates how the applicant will use indicators of housing redevelopment1 neighborhood quality1 resident well-being1 and other outcomes to measure success1 manage program implementation1 and engage stakeholders1 consistent with requirements established by the ,secretary2 and 7#ah7 demonstrates compliance with any other factors and priorities1 as the ,secretary may prescribe through a notice of funding availability and that further the purposes of this ,act4 #i4 ,program requirements ,the following requirements shall apply to any grant made under this ,act3 7#a7 ,housing choice opportunities for returning tenants ,an approved transformation plan under section #h shall demonstrate that each former tenant who wishes to return to the on-site or off-site replacement housing may return if the tenant was lease-compliant at the time of departure from the housing subject to rehabilitation or demolition1 and would be eligible1 as of the time of such return1 for occupancy under the eligibility1 screening1 and occupancy standards1 policies1 or practices applicable to the housing from which the resident was displaced1 as in effect at such time of displacement4 ,a returning tenant shall be provided a preference for occupancy of on-site or off-site replacement units before such units are made available to any other eligible households1 or the tenant may choose to retain tenant-based voucher assistance provided under section #h7o7 of the ,united ,states ,housing ,act of #aicg1 for relocation from the properties revitalized under this ,act4 7#b7 ,relocation and notice ,all relocation activities resulting from1 or that will result from1 demolition1 disposition1 or both demolition and disposition1 to be carried out under a transformation plan relating to a grant under this ,act shall be subject to the following requirements3 7,a7 ,the ,uniform ,relocation ,act ,the ,uniform ,relocation and ,real ,property ,acquisition ,policies ,act of #aigj 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fa7 shall apply to all relocation activities pursuant to a transformation plan under this ,act1 except as otherwise provided in this ,act4 7,b7 ,relocation plan ,the applicant shall submit to the ,secretary1 before acquisition or demolition1 a relocation plan providing for the relocation of residents occupying the public or assisted housing for which the demolition or disposition is proposed4 7#c7 ,notice upon approval of application ,within a reasonable time after notice to the applicant of the approval of an application for a grant under this section1 the applicant shall provide notice in writing1 in plain and non-technical language1 to the residents of the public and assisted housing subject to the approved transformation plan that-- 7,a7 states that the application and transformation plan has been approved2 7,b7 describes the process involved to relocate the residents1 including a statement that the residents may not be relocated until the conditions in this section have been met2 7,c7 provides information regarding relocation options2 and 7,d7 advises residents of the availability of relocation counseling4 7#d7 ,notice before relocation ,except in the cases of a substantial and imminent threat to health or safety1 not later than #ij days before the date on which residents will be relocated1 the grantee shall provide notice in writing1 in plain and nontechnical language1 to each family residing in a public or assisted housing project that is subject to an approved transformation plan1 and in accordance with such guidelines as the ,secretary may issue governing such notification1 of the demolition1 their rights1 and relocation options4 7#e7 ,one-for-one replacement of public or assisted housing units ,each transformation plan that provides for dwelling units to be demolished or disposed shall provide as follows3 7,a7 ,number of units ,for one hundred percent of all such dwelling units in existence1 as of the date of the application for the grant1 that are to be demolished or disposed1 the transformation plan shall provide for replacement of the dwelling unit4 7,b7 ,number of bedrooms ,replacement housing for demolished properties shall reflect the number of bedrooms that are needed to adequately serve returning tenants1 households currently on the waiting list and that are needed based on other market data1 except that in instances where the tenants of the original properties need a different number of bedrooms than households on the waiting list1 the plan may enable displaced tenants to exercise their opportunity under paragraph 7#a71 using a tenant-based voucher in the original neighborhood or other neighborhood of the tenants' choice4 7,c7 ,location 7i7 ,replacement units ,replacement housing units shall be developed-- 7,i7 in the neighborhood being revitalized2 and 7,,ii7 within the metropolitan area1 up to #be miles from the original project site1 as necessary to-- 7aa7 comply with fair housing requirements2 7bb7 deconcentrate poverty2 7cc7 redevelop on site with appropriate densities2 or 7dd7 meet other factors1 as determined by the ,secretary in order to further the purposes of this ,act4 7ii7 ,replacement housing outside immediate neighborhood ,replacement housing outside the immediate neighborhood shall offer access to economic opportunities and public transportation and shall be accessible to social1 recreational1 educational1 commercial1 health facilities and services1 and other municipal services and facilities that are comparable1 under such standards as the ,secretary may prescribe4 7iii7 ,off-site replacement housing ,off-site replacement housing1 outside the immediate neighborhood1 shall not be located in areas of minority concentration1 defined in relation to the metropolitan area or rural county in which the ,choice ,neighborhoods project is located1 or in areas of extreme poverty4 7,d7 ,types of units ,replacement housing is public housing or other assisted housing units1 as defined in section #aj1 excluding tenant-based vouchers1 unless permitted in this section4 7,e7 ,use of project-based vouchers for replacement housing ,the ,secretary may require the use of project-based voucher assistance under section #h7o77#ac7 of the ,united ,states ,housing ,act of #aicg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcg;f7o77#ac77 to meet the replacement requirement4 ,where project-based voucher units are developed as replacement housing1 subparagraph 7,d7 of section #h7o77#ac71 relating to percentage limitation and income-mixing requirement for project-based voucher assistance1 shall not apply4 ,the ,secretary may waive or modify other provisions of section #h7o77#ac7 to promote the purposes of this program4 7,f7 ,tenant-based vouchers as replacement housing ,a grantee may replace up to #bj percent of the public housing or other assisted housing dwelling units that are demolished or disposed of under the transformation plan with tenant-based vouchers in housing markets where there is an adequate supply of affordable rental housing in areas of low poverty4 ,such supply shall be demonstrated by data that shows within the housing market or area served by the ,choice ,neighborhoods project that-- 7i7 a minimum of #hj percent of vouchers issued over the preceding #bd months to comparable families were successfully leased within #abj days of issuance or1 if a sufficient number of comparable families have not received vouchers1 the ,secretary shall design an alternative measure2 7ii7 existing voucher holders are widely dispersed geographically1 as determined by the ,secretary1 among the available private rental housing stock1 including in areas of low poverty2 and 7iii7 the grantee provides a market analysis demonstrating that there is a relatively high vacancy rate1 as determined by the ,secretary1 within the market area with rent and utility costs not exceeding the applicable payment standard under section #h7o7 of the ,united ,states ,housing ,act of #aicg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcg;f7o774 7#f7 ,fair housing ,the demolition or disposition1 relocation1 replacement1 and re-occupancy of housing units under this ,act shall be carried out in a manner that affirmatively furthers fair housing1 as required by section #hjh of the ,civil ,rights ,act of #aifh 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #cfjh7;e774 ,grantees shall adopt affirmative marketing procedures1 and require affirmative marketing activities of project owners and managers which special outreach efforts shall be targeted to those who are least likely to apply for the housing1 to ensure that all persons1 regardless of their race1 color1 national origin1 religion1 sex1 disability or familial status are aware of the housing opportunities in each project funded under this ,act4 7#g7 ,accessibility requirements ,all new construction and substantial alterations of existing buildings receiving assistance under this ,act shall comply with the requirements of the ,rehabilitation ,act of #aigc1 the ,uniform ,federal ,accessibility ,standards1 the ,fair ,housing ,act1 and any other requirements1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7#h7 ,affordability requirement ,the owner of a property assisted with funding under this ,act shall agree to a period of affordability for the property which shall be not less than the period of affordability to which the property is already subject and remains subject1 or #cj years1 whichever is greater4 7#i7 ,cost limits ,subject to the provisions of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall establish cost limits on eligible activities under this ,act sufficient to provide for effective transformation programs4 7#aj7 ,environmental review ,for purposes of environmental review1 assistance and projects under this ,act shall be treated as assistance for special projects that are subject to section #cje7;c7 of the ,multifamily ,housing ,property ,disposition ,reform ,act of #aiid1 and shall be subject to the regulations issued by the ,secretary to implement such section4 7#aa7 ,grantee reporting ,the ,secretary shall require grantees under this ,act to report the sources and uses of all amounts expended and other information for transformation plans for the annual report of the ,secretary to ,congress or other purposes1 as determined by the ,secretary4 #aj4 ,definitions ,for purposes of this ,act1 the following definitions shall apply3 7#a7 ,affordable housing ,the term affordable housing includes-- 7,a7 assisted housing1 as defined by this ,act2 or 7,b7 private housing for which the ,secretary requires the owner or purchaser of the project to maintain affordability for not fewer than #cj years1 in accordance with use restrictions promulgated in regulations by the ,secretary1 which restrictions shall be-- 7i7 contained in a legally enforceable document recorded in the appropriate records2 and 7ii7 consistent with the long-term viability of the project as rental or homeownership housing4 7#b7 ,assisted housing ,the term assisted housing means housing assisted under-- 7,a7 section #h or #i of the ,united ,states ,housing ,act of #aicg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcg;f and #db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcg;g72 and 7,b7 section #bba7;d77#c7 or section #bcf 7#ab ,u4,s4,c4 #agae and #ab ,u4,s4,c4 #agaez-#a7 of the ,national ,housing ,act4 7#c7 ,critical community improvements ,the term critical community improvements means-- 7,a7 development or improvement of community facilities to promote upward mobility1 self-sufficiency1 or improved quality of life for residents of the neighborhood1 such as construction or rehabilitation of parks and community gardens1 environmental improvements or site remediation at affected sites2 and 7,b7 activities to promote economic development1 such as development or improvement of transit1 retail1 community financial institutions1 public services1 facilities1 assets or other community resources4 7#d7 ,extreme poverty ,the term extreme poverty neighborhoods means a neighborhood in which a high percentage of residents are estimated to be in poverty or have extremely low incomes1 based on the most recent data collected by the ,census ,bureau and that is experiencing distress related to-- 7,a7 per capita crime rates over #c or more years that are significantly higher than the per capita crime rates of the city or county in which the neighborhood is located2 7,b7 high rates of vacant1 abandoned1 or substandard homes relative to the city or county as a whole2 7,c7 a low-performing public school2 7,d7 other such factor as determined by the ,secretary that further the purposes of this ,act2 or 7,e7 any combination of such factors4 7#e7 ,families ,the term families has the meaning provided in section #c7;,b77#c7 of the ,united ,states ,housing ,act of #aicg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcg;a7,b77#c774 7#f7 ,long-term viability ,the term long-term viability refers to a neighborhood that is sustainable on an economic1 educational1 and environmental basis4 7#g7 ,public housing agency ,the term public housing agency has the meaning provided in section #c7;b77#f7 of the ,united ,states ,housing ,act of #aicg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcg;a7b77#f774 7#h7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,housing and ,urban ,development4 7#i7 ,severely distressed housing ,the term severely distressed housing means a public or assisted housing project 7or building in a project7 that-- 7,a7 7i7 requires major redesign1 reconstruction1 or redevelopment1 or partial or total demolition1 to correct serious deficiencies in the original design 7including inappropriately high population density71 deferred maintenance1 physical deterioration or obsolescence of major systems1 and other deficiencies in the physical plant of the project2 and 7ii7 is a significant contributing factor to the physical decline of and disinvestment by public and private entities in the surrounding neighborhood2 or 7,b7 was a project described in subparagraph 7,a7 that has been legally vacated or demolished1 but for which the ,secretary has not yet provided replacement housing assistance other than tenant-based assistance4 7#aj7 ,supportive services ,the term supportive services includes all activities for public or assisted housing tenants displaced from the projects being revitalized under this ,act1 that will promote upward mobility1 self-sufficiency1 or improved quality of life1 including such activities as literacy training1 remedial and continuing education1 job training1 financial literacy instruction1 day care1 youth services1 aging-in-place1 public transportation1 physical and mental health services1 economic development activities1 and other programs for which the community demonstrates need4 #aa4 ,demolition and disposition ,the demolition or disposition of severely distressed public and assisted housing pursuant to a transformation plan is exempt from the provisions of section #ah of the ,united ,states ,housing ,act of #aicg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcgp74 #ab4 ,administration by other entities ,the ,secretary may require a grantee under this ,act to make arrangements satisfactory to the ,secretary for use of an entity other than the original grantee to carry out activities assisted under the transformation plan1 if the ,secretary determines that such action will help to effectuate the purposes of this ,act4 #ac4 ,withdrawal of funding ,if a grantee under this ,act does not proceed within a reasonable time frame in implementing its transformation plan1 or does not otherwise comply with the requirements of this ,act or the grant agreement1 as determined by the ,secretary1 the ,secretary is authorized to withdraw any grant amounts under this ,act that have not been obligated by the grantee4 ,the ,secretary may redistribute any withdrawn amounts to one or more other eligible entities capable of proceeding expeditiously in the same locality in carrying out the transformation plan of the original grantee1 or as such plan may be modified and approved by the ,secretary1 or1 if that is not feasible1 to one or more other applicants that has already received assistance under this ,act4 #ad4 ,annual report ,the ,secretary shall submit to ,congress an annual report setting forth-- 7#a7 the number1 type1 and cost of affordable housing units revitalized pursuant to this ,act2 7#b7 the amount and type of financial assistance provided under and in conjunction with this ,act1 including a specification of the amount and type of assistance provided for educational opportunities1 services1 public assets1 public transportation1 and access to jobs2 and 7#c7 the impact of grants made under this ,act on the original residents1 the target neighborhoods1 and the larger communities within which they are located4 #ae4 ,program evaluation ,the ,secretary shall conduct1 and shall submit a report to ,congress on1 an evaluation of the ,choice ,neighborhoods program1 with respect to which-- 7#a7 the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 select an outside expert firm to conduct the evaluation of the ,choice ,neighborhoods program2 and 7,b7 consult with the ,secretary of ,labor1 the ,secretary of ,education1 the ,secretary of ,transportation1 the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services1 the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency1 and other appropriate agencies on the evaluation of the program and selection of the evaluation firm2 7#b7 the ,secretary shall submit to ,congress a report of the results of the evaluation #e years after the initial grant awards1 and annually thereafter2 and 7#c7 the factors to be considered within the evaluation include measures of-- 7,a7 resident engagement within and after the transformation process2 7,b7 neighborhood improvement1 including changes in property values1 demographic changes1 access to transportation1 and survey data on resident satisfaction2 7,c7 self-sufficiency1 including changes in resident and neighborhood income1 and changes in neighborhood and resident employment statistics2 7,d7 educational improvement1 including student performance data1 student mobility and absenteeism1 and parental involvement2 and 7,e7 other indicators deemed appropriate by the ,secretary4 #af4 ,funding ,there are authorized to be appropriated the following3 7#a7 #cej1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjac1 and such sums as may be necessary in each of fiscal years #bjad through #bjag1 for grants under this ,act4 ,of the funding authorized in any fiscal year1 up to #aj percent is authorized for planning grants4 ,in awarding planning grants1 the ,secretary may elect to base selection on a subset of the required provisions of this ,act4 ,in any fiscal year1 up to #e percent is authorized for technical assistance and program evaluation efforts related to grants awarded under this ,act1 or under predecessor programs4 7#b7 ,such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years #bjac through #bjag1 for providing tenant-based assistance for relocation and for rental assistance under section #h of the ,united ,states ,housing ,act of #aicg1 for the purposes of complying with section #i7b7 of this ,act1 but not to exceed the amount of assistance for the number of units demolished or disposed of under section #i7b74 7#c7 ,not less than #b_/c of amounts made available in any fiscal year under this ,act shall be used for1 or #b_/c of the number of housing units assisted under this ,act shall be1 public housing units1 subject to de minimis variations1 as may result from the grantee selection process4