Field Policy and Management, Administration and Public Housing staff took part in a half-day tour of Birmingham area homeownership projects. The first event of the day was a "groundbreaking" for a Birmingham Neighborhood Housing Services (BNHS) project in the West End neighborhood. Six affordable houses were well under way by the time of the ceremony. The City of Birmingham used HOME funds to reduce the selling price of the houses and BNHS used the NeighborWorks downpayment assistance program to help the first time homebuyers get started. Cheryl Hampton, Executive Director of BNHS, thanked Birmingham Mayor and City Council. HUD Field Office Director Cindy Yarbrough and NeighborWorks representative Dollie Whittle brought greetings to the crowd of 50 people.

Following the tour of the BNHS project, the HUD group went to Fairview, another Western Section neighborhood to see the results of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Birmingham's (GBHH) Home Builders Blitz. The Greater Birmingham Association of Homebuilders started and finished eight houses in a week, making a huge impact on one neighborhood. Charles Moore, Executive Director of HHGB, escorted HUD staff into several of the homes where they had a chance to meet the proud new owners.

Birmingham Field Office Director Cindy Yarbrough (center) participates in groundbreaking event with Birmingham Neighborhood Housing Service as part of Cross Program Training tour by Field Office employees

These homes are part of a home builders blitz sponsored by Habitat for Humanity. Eight homes were finished in one week as part of the blitz which had a tremendous impact on the moderate income neighborhood where the homes were built.