Greater Deanwood Choice Neighborhood Planning Initiative 

In 2022, the Washington, D.C.Housing Authority was awarded a Choice Neighborhoods Planning grant by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to develop a Transformation Plan for Lincoln Heights & Richardson Dwellings over the next 24 months. The goal of this planning effort is to develop a comprehensive revitalization plan that replaces distressed public housing units with quality mixed-income housing, while allowing existing residents to stay in their neighborhood and enjoy an improved quality of life.

The Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CNI) grant supports the development of a neighborhood transformation plan focusing on resources to address:

  • Housing: Develop a comprehensive revitalization plan that creates mixed-income housing at Lincoln Heights & Richardson dwellings, provides an improved quality of life for the existing residents, and allows them to stay in the neighborhood.

  • People: Create a plan to improve the outcomes of households living in Richardson Dwellings and Lincoln Heights related to employment and income, health, and education.

  • Neighborhoods: Identify the initiatives/projects that residents want to see in the neighborhood in order to stay in Deanwood and thrive.

The resulting plan will guide the revitalization of the public housing units in Richardson Dwellings & Lincoln Heights while also improving the surrounding neighborhood and improving outcomes for all families. This plan builds on prior work in the neighborhood and will be centered around the resident's needs.

DRAFT: Greater Deanwood:
"Your Voice, Your Choice" 

Draft submitted for review to HUD,  July 2024 

The draft Greater Deanwood Transformation Plan captures the vision of residents and stakeholders to revitalize Lincoln Heights and Richardson Dwellings into diverse, healthy communities, while also restoring Deanwood to the thriving neighborhood it once was. Rooted in its rich legacy as one of the oldest African-American neighborhoods in Washington, D.C, the plan envisions a safe and sustainable community for existing and future generations that connects people to the natural amenities in the area, and to the unique history of its residents. This plan builds on prior planning work and seeks to address the needs of residents gathered through a resident survey. The strategies in the plan will be refined over the next six months in collaboration with residents and working committees. We look forward to hearing your comments and refining the plan into a final document by the end of the year.