Community TopographyOn April 17, 2014, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published a notice in the Federal Register requesting public comments on the proposed selection process and criteria for the second round of the Promise Zone Initiative. Specifically, HUD seeks comments on the first round of the Promise Zone Initiative, the proposed selection process for the second round, and the draft Second Round Application Guide. Public comments are due by Monday, June 16, 2014. HUD will review all written comments before finalizing the Second Round Application.

The Promise Zone Initiative is part of the President’s plan to designate high-poverty urban, rural and tribal communities where the federal government will partner with and invest in communities to create jobs, expand educational opportunities, provide public safety, and leverage private investments. This initiative includes the collaboration of resources from the Department of Education, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Department of Justice, and Department of Agriculture.

Earlier this year, the President announced the first five Promise Zones: San Antonio, Texas; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Los Angeles, California; Southeaster Kentucky; and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. The President will designate 15 more communities over the next three years.

As permitted under applicable rules and statues and subject to appropriations, organizations and business participating in the Promise Zone Initiative will receive preference for certain competitive Federal programs, technical assistance and other non-competitive support, and tax incentives.

HUD will host three Promise Zone Initiative Stakeholder Webinars geared to various audiences: 1) Tribal, 2) Urban, and 3) Rural.  RSVP deadline is COB Friday, April 25.  Topics will include:

  • The public comment period for the second round of applications
  • Eligibility criteria
  • Best practices from the first round
  • Timeline for the second round
  • Details on the President’s Promise Zone Budget Proposal

Promise Zone Initiative Stakeholder Webinar (TRIBAL)

Tuesday, April 29, 2014   2:00-3:00 p.m.  EST

Please RSVP here to receive the TRIBAL webinar link

Promise Zone Initiative Stakeholder Webinar (URBAN)

Tuesday, April 29, 2014  3:30-4:30 p.m.  EST

Please RSVP here to receive the URBAN webinar link.  

Promise Zone Initiative Stakeholder Webinar (RURAL)

Wednesday, April 30, 2014  3:00-4:00 p.m.  EST

Please RSVP here to receive the RURAL webinar link.  

To learn more about the Promise Zones Initiative click here.

To review the Federal Register notice and provide comments, click here.

To review the draft Second Round Application Guide for urban communities, click here; and for rural and tribal communities, click here.