Note: This video footage was filmed on Feb. 19, 2020 when the community made their pitch to HUD.
April 24, 2020 the Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded a $35 million Choice Neighborhoods Initiative grant to Watts!
Now more than ever investment in our communities is critical. This is why Councilmember Buscaino is so proud of the Housing Authority of Los Angeles and the Watts community for receiving this significant federal grant that will continue to exponentially drive positive change for years to come.
Watts deserves this award because it has become a national model for police/community relations. Young people from Jordan Downs and other public housing projects are being mentored and coached by Los Angeles Police Department officers and supported by an array of effective community groups, notably the Watts Gang Task Force. Crime at Jordan Downs has dramatically decreased over the last eight years.
Prior to this award, Watts also won a $25 million Transformative Climate Community grant from the state.
This grant ensures a better quality of life and will lead to more opportunities for the residents of Jordan Downs and the surrounding community. Thank you to Mayor Garcetti for helping us make this grant a reality and thank you to HUD for trusting that Watts is worth it!