The Louisville Metro Housing Authority has received a $1 million grant to continue its revitalization efforts in Russell and at the Beecher Terrace housing complex.
Officials including Mayor Greg Fischer, 3rd District Congressman John Yarmuth and Metro Councilman David Tandy were expected to make the announcement Friday morning at the Kentucky Center for African-American Heritage.
This is the second round of funding awarded to propel Metro Housing Authority efforts to plan a redevelopment for Russell. Last year, HUD granted the city $425,000 to create a plan to revitalize the historic West Louisville neighborhood, which has some of the highest poverty and crime rates in the city.
HUD Kentucky Field Office Director Christopher Taylor said the progress made in Russell since the city received the initial funding is what helped secure the latest grant.
“The Russell neighborhood is full of potential that can be realized with the vision and passion of the local residents, the Louisville Metro Housing Authority, and local leaders coupled with funding from programs like Choice Neighborhoods and other public and private dollars," Taylor said.
HUD’s Choice Neighborhoods Initiative promotes a comprehensive approach to transforming neighborhoods struggling to address distressed housing, inadequate schools, poor health, high crime and lack of capital.
Russell is home to the 768-unit Beecher Terrace public housing complex, a historically troubled spot in Louisville.
