About Choice Bristol
Our Mission & Our Community
Choice Bristol is a community-led initiative working to transform Virginia Hill — a neighborhood north of downtown Bristol with deep roots and real potential — into a place where families feel safe, connected, and proud to call home. Funded through a federal Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant and led by Beyond Housing, the initiative brings together residents, local partners, and community organizations to shape a shared vision for better housing, stronger people supports, and a more vibrant neighborhood. From listening sessions and community surveys to early action projects with visible impact, Choice Bristol is powered by the people who know Virginia Hill best — and committed to building something lasting together.
Who We Are
In September 2024, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded Beyond Housing and the Bristol Redevelopment and Housing Authority (BRHA) a $500,000 Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant — a federal program that invests in communities ready to reimagine their future through thoughtful, people-centered planning. The grant funds a 30-month process, running through early 2027, to develop a comprehensive Transformation Plan for Virginia Hill with the support of key partners, including the City of Bristol, ETSU’s Applied Social Research Laboratory, and — most importantly — the residents of Virginia Hill themselves, alongside a wide variety of other organizations committed to making this effort a success. Together, this growing coalition is rolling up its sleeves to listen, learn, and build a roadmap that reflects what residents actually need — and what Virginia Hill can genuinely become. When that plan is complete, it will serve as the foundation for pursuing the significant implementation funding needed to turn vision into reality.
About Beyond Housing
Beyond Housing, the Housing Authority for the City of Bristol, VA, has served the community for decades, providing quality affordable housing to individuals and families who need them most. Rooted in a deep belief that everyone deserves a safe, stable place to call home, Beyond Housing is actively growing its capacity to provide supportive services, building relationships with residents and local organizations, and working to earn its place as a trusted partner in the life of Bristol. When the opportunity arose to pursue a Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant for Virginia Hill, Beyond Housing was well-positioned to lead: already present in the neighborhood, committed to listening to its residents, and eager to invest in its future.
2024
Grant Award Year
30+
Community Workshops
Sept. 2026
Draft Plan to HUD
March 2027
Final Plan Submission
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Choice Neighborhoods program?
Choice Neighborhoods is a federal program administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that helps communities transform distressed neighborhoods through coordinated investments in housing, people, and the surrounding area. It requires a comprehensive, community-driven planning process before any implementation funding can be pursued.
Choice Bristol is the local initiative launched by Beyond Housing to carry out the Choice Neighborhoods planning process in Virginia Hill, a neighborhood north of downtown Bristol, VA. It is funded by a $500,000 HUD Planning Grant awarded in September 2024.
What is the planning timeline?
The planning grant runs from September 2024 through March 2027, with a draft Transformation Plan due to HUD by September 2026 and a final plan due in March 2027. During this time, the community will be actively engaged in shaping every aspect of the plan.
What is a Transformation Plan?
A Transformation Plan is the primary deliverable of the Choice Neighborhoods planning process — a detailed, community-informed blueprint for improving housing, expanding opportunities for residents, and strengthening the neighborhood. Once accepted by HUD, it can be used to pursue significant implementation funding.
How can residents participate?
Residents can attend community workshops, complete surveys, join planning committees, and share their ideas and concerns at public meetings. Visit the Get Involved page for a current list of upcoming opportunities.
Beyond Housing is the lead organization, working in close partnership with the City of Bristol, ETSU’s Applied Social Research Laboratory, neighborhood residents, and a range of other community organizations.
Choice Bristol is funded by a $500,000 HUD Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant, with additional resources and in-kind contributions provided by Beyond Housing and its partners. The planning grant does not fund construction or major development — those resources would be pursued separately once the Transformation Plan is complete.
Revitalizing Virginia Hill through community-led neighborhood transformation.
© 2026 Choice Bristol · Funded by HUD Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant
