, That the Secretary may waive the limitation in the previous proviso to allow public housing agencies to fund activities authorized under section 9(e)(1)(C) of the Act: Provided further , That the Secretary shall notify public housing agencies requesting waivers under the previous proviso if the request is approved or denied within 14 days of submitting the request: Provided further , That from the funds made available under this heading, the Secretary shall provide bonus awards in fiscal year 2018 to public housing agencies that are designated high performers: Provided further , That the Department shall notify public housing agencies of their formula allocation within 60 days of enactment of this Act. Public housing operating fund For 2018 payments to public housing agencies for the operation and management of public housing, as authorized by section 9(e) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 ( 42 U.S.C. 1437g(e) ), $4,400,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2019. Choice neighborhoods initiative For competitive grants under the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (subject to section 24 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 ( 42 U.S.C. 1437v ), unless otherwise specified under this heading), for transformation, rehabilitation, and replacement housing needs of both public and HUD-assisted housing and to transform neighborhoods of poverty into functioning, sustainable mixed income neighborhoods with appropriate services, schools, public assets, transportation and access to jobs, $20,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2020: Provided , That grant funds may be used for resident and community services, community development, and affordable housing needs in the community, and for conversion of vacant or foreclosed properties to affordable housing: Provided further , That the use of funds made available under this heading shall not be deemed to be public housing notwithstanding section 3(b)(1) of such Act: Provided further , That grantees shall commit to an additional period of