Pathways to Affordable Housing in Birmingham
Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing) initiative, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, aims to address barriers to affordable housing in Birmingham. The city faces challenges of housing scarcity and deteriorating properties, especially in vulnerable communities. Birmingham's PRO Housing program focuses on creating safe, healthy, and affordable housing options, tackling institutional obstacles, and empowering local partners to support low-income and unhoused populations. Activities include the Magic City Community Champions program to establish and support Community Development Corporations for neighborhood development.
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Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing) is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to support communities who are actively taking steps to remove barriers to affordable housing, such as: Barriers caused by outdated zoning, land use policies, or regulations; Inefficient procedures; Gaps in available resources for development; Deteriorating or inadequate infrastructure; Lack of neighborhood amenities; or Challenges to preserving existing housing stock such as increasing threats from natural hazards, redevelopment pressures, or expiration of affordability requirements. What is the PRO Housing Grant? TREY research 2
Affordable housing remains scarce Quality housing production in the city s most vulnerable communities on rapid decline. Why is Birmingham applying? Increasingly gentrified city center threatens to exacerbate blight and flight in the city's historically underserved, majority African-American neighborhoods surrounding communities. High vacancy rates indicate deteriorating properties, urban decay, financially strained occupants, and a rising number of individuals without homes. CONCLUSION: As the city center continues to attract economic investments and higher-income residents, focused investments are urgently required to ensure accessibility and affordability for all residents. TREY research 3
GOAL 1 To create and maintain housing options that are safe, healthy, and affordable for all residents, prioritizing those with low-to- moderate incomes. We aim to ensure an adequate supply of both ownership and rental opportunities within the City, fostering a thriving community for everyone to flourish. What are Birmingham's PRO Housing program goals? GOAL 2 To recognize and tackle persistent institutional obstacles that hinder the progress of market-rate housing in the City, including zoning regulations, state and local housing development policies, and insufficient support and wrap-around services for unhoused populations. GOAL 3 To empower local partners and nonprofit organizations with the necessary funding, legal assistance, and compliance support to offer sustainable housing and wraparound support services for low-income and unhoused populations who are transitioning into the affordable housing market, whether as homeowners or renters. TREY research 4
What are Birmingham's PRO Housing proposed activities? 1. Magic City Community Champions The Magic City Community Champions program will provide financial support for the establishment of four new Community Development Corporations (CDC), fostering enhanced collaboration between neighborhood associations and non-profit organizations in multiple target communities. Existing CDC s will also participate in the program. This program aims to cultivate stronger bonds. TREY research 5
2. Magic City Affordable Housing Trust The PRO Housing program aims to raise awareness about enabling legislation for Affordable Housing Trusts in Alabama. Despite an underfunded statewide Housing Trust Fund, it fails to adequately address the state's affordable housing needs. Alabama municipalities lack authorization to establish their own trusts. The City plans to collaborate with other municipalities to address this during the upcoming legislative session. TREY research 6
3. Home for All The Home for All program will use funding to support the initial engineering and construction of micro-shelter housing communities. These communities aim to provide secure and dignified transitional housing, along with wraparound services, for low-income and unhoused populations. The program also seeks to address community blight and create positive living environments for those in need. To ensure program effectiveness, convenient access to necessary services is crucial for participants' well-being. Funding will be used to bring together local nonprofits to collectively tackle homelessness. Service providers will deliver comprehensive support to transitional housing communities and neighboring residents. The goal is to prioritize marginalized populations and establish long-term housing stability for all. TREY research 7
4. Affordable Housing Fast Lane: Allocating PRO Housing funding directly to the City s Community Development Department will provide the necessary resources to allow collaboration with a highly experienced and qualified individual or firm to create and execute a comprehensive pilot program for the Affordable Housing Fast Lane initiative. Through this program, housing developers will receive technical support and guidance in successfully navigating the intricacies of local and state policies and procedures specifically related to affordable housing developments. The goal of this strategic partnership is to streamline the process and create a more efficient and effective pathway to affordable housing solutions. TREY research 8
5. Administration and Compliance: Administration and Compliance: Both large and small organizations frequently encounter difficulties when it comes to effectively managing programs of this scale. The burdensome administrative responsibilities and program compliance requirements often prove overwhelming. To address this, the City is will engage an experienced individual or reputable firm to provide comprehensive project management, financial and technical services for all PRO grant-funded programs and projects. TREY research 9
Questions & Answers ? TREY research 10
Public Comment Period The City of Birmingham seeks input and feedback from the public and interested parties on its draft application. The City of Birmingham's draft Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing) application may be viewed and downloaded from the Birmingham Community Development website: https://www.birminghamal.gov/community-development Copies can also be requested by email HousingAndCommunityInfo@birminghamal.gov or by calling 205-254-2309. TREY research 11 Add a footer
How to Submit Written Comment Submit written comments to HousingAndCommunityInfo@birminghamal.gov or mail them to Community Development 10th Floor, 710 North Street, Birmingham, Al 35203. All comments must be received by 4:00 pm CST Friday, November 3, 2023. TREY research 12 Add a footer
