Choice Neighborhoods (CN) is a program offered by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to holistically transform struggling neighborhoods and distressed public housing. Local leaders, residents, stakeholders, public housing authorities, cities, schools, police, business owners, nonprofits, and private developers work together to create and implement a plan that replaces public housing with mixed-income housing and addresses the challenges in the surrounding neighborhood.

Choice Neighborhoods is focused on three core goals:

1. Housing: Replace distressed public and assisted housing with high-quality, mixed-income housing that is well-managed and energy-efficient
2. Neighborhood: Reinvest in distressed neighborhoods to offer the kinds of amenities that are important to families' choices about their community - safety, good schools, community-serving retail, mobility, public spaces, and placemaking
3. People: Support families and individuals in reaching better outcomes related to employment, income, health, children's education, and well-being

Over the next two years (2024 and 2025), OCHA, the City, the residents, and stakeholders will develop an actionable plan for the Rotary Park and Stockyards City neighborhood.

Once the transformation plan is complete in late 2025, OCHA and the City will begin applying for funding to help implement the plan. This will include both public and private funding sources.

Right now, the current process ONLY involves planning and the implementation of an Early Action Project. Construction of housing to replace Will Rogers Courts and other neighborhood projects will happen later in phases, based on community input and available resources. Once funding is available, the redevelopment of Will Rogers Courts would likely take 5-10 years.

Approximately $150,000 will be used to design and build an Early Action Project that will be an immediate positive benefit to the Rotary Park and Stockyards City neighborhood. We need your involvement to come up with a great idea for this project!

The Early Action Project will be completed before the end of 2025.

Will Rogers Courts residents are at the center of the planning process. This plan is personal for residents - it is about their families, children, homes, schools, and improving their opportunities and daily lives. Will Rogers Courts residents will guide the process from beginning to end. OCHA and the City will also engage neighborhood residents, business owners, community organizations, churches, education partners, philanthropic funders, and many others to develop a shared vision and strategies that everyone can support and help implement.

Engagement opportunities will include:

1. Participating in facilitated sessions and workshops to shape the vision
2. Answering surveys and providing feedback on ideas
3. Joining task force groups to developing Housing, Neighborhood, and People strategies
4. Becoming a part-time Resident Ambassador to champion the planning process
5. Attending events, meeting neighborhoods, sharing your ideas, and helping shape your community

The Rotary Park and Stockyards City Neighborhood was selected for its diverse and resilient community - the neighborhood has both potential and challenges.

Will Rogers Courts Apartments is one of OCHA's most challenging properties in terms of redevelopment - the units have serious structural and design deficiencies and will require substantial funding.

The surrounding neighborhood was identified by the City of Oklahoma City's Strong Neighborhood Initiative (SNI) as a priority area. The SNI program identifies 3 struggling neighborhoods and makes strategic interventions that support the physical revitalization of housing and infrastructure, as well as the expansion of opportunities and quality of life. The Rotary Park and Stockyards City neighborhood is anchored by strong businesses and organizations and is seeing momentum from the Stockyards City Main Street and the adjacent Wheeler District. The goal is to continue to bring needed improvements and amenities to the neighborhood, while ensuring there is housing that everyone can afford.

Yes - during the planning process, OCHA is offering an opportunity for a few Will Rogers Courts residents to serve as Resident Ambassadors. Ambassadors will help with resident engagement, participate in leadership training, gather data, attend meetings, and receive a small stipend for their work. If you are interested in becoming an ambassador, please contact OCHA.

In the long-term, if Will Rogers Courts is redeveloped, there would be additional job and entrepreneurship opportunities for residents in construction trades, office jobs, property management, and other opportunities.