Springfield Republican
Springfield: Gets $300K HUD neighborhood improvement grant
SPRINGFIELD -The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded Springfield a $300,000 "Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant" that will target housing improvements in the city's South End. The city and housing authority applied for the funds and hope to use it to support new market rate housing, demolition and substantial rehabilitation of existing housing stock, and construction of a new community center and a new early childhood education center. According to HUD, four times as many crimes are committed in this neighborhood compared to the rest of the city and 42 percent of the residents live below the poverty line.