"We will make awards to PHAs that show they are capable and ready to build housing soon after grants are awarded," says HUD assistant secretary Michael Liu. "Former residents and communities benefit greatly when developments are completed on time and within budget." Over the last 11 years, 118 PHAs have received awards accounting for a total of $5.5 billion. Since that time, 29 new communities have been created.

Under the 2003 HOPE VI Revitalization program, a total of $574 million in grants were made available. The funding package included $40 million for demolition activity and $86.2 million for program operation activities. In Washington, DC, the District of Columbia Housing Authority won a $20-million HOPE VI grant for the redevelopment of Eastgate Gardens, a former 230-unit public housing community in the southeast area of the city.

Upon completion of the project, a new Eastgate Gardens will emerge with 269 mixed-income units, 108 of which will be set aside as for-sale residences. Sixty-one of the units will be designated as rental homes, while the remaining 100 units will be reserved for senior housing.