2000 Best Practice Awards

2000-1600 Office of Advancement of Developing industries Technology Center - University of AL in Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama
Contact: Wilson L. Harrison (205) 943-6560

OADI Technology Center is a business incubator that assists high-technology companies in developing, marketing, and commercializing their products and services. It provides technology-oriented entrepreneurs with a unique environment which enhances start-up company's chances fur success

000-1703 Clinton L. Johnson Economic Development Center
Mobile, Alabama
Contact: Stevens Gregory (334) 434-2202

The Mobile Housing Board put their $1-M Economic Development and Supportive Services (EDSS) Grant to work and partnered with private partners to construct a $2.1M, 25,000-sq ft facility that will provide training and employment opportunities for individuals living in public housing. The mission of the Economic Development Center is to equip public housing residents with tools that would enable them to become self-sufficient and to substantially improve their qualify of life. The program is divided into three components:

• Adult Basic Education,
• Life Skills Training and
• Business Development.

The Center also offers two very important supportive services for program participants - round-trip transportation and on-site child daycare. The program's major partner is the Dollar General Corporation. Through the Dollar General Learning Center, program participants receive on-the-job-retail training that leads to a paid position with the on-site Dollar General Store. The Program is comprised of the following tiers:

• Tier I - Adult Basic Education: Assessment, GED Preparation, Upgrade Basic Reading, Language and Math Skills
• Tier II - Life Skills and Customer Service Training: Resume Writing, Job Application, Interview Preparation, Dressing Appropriately, First Impressions, Responding to Complaints, Attitudes and Communications
• Tier III - Entrepreneurial and Business Development: 33 hour entrepreneurial course outlining 8 elements of owning a business; a revolving micro loan fund to help potential business owners; and a comprehensive small business resource library and incubator.

Supportive services include child daycare (day care worker training, high/scope training curriculum and servicing program participants at no cost) and Transportation (point to point transportation and servicing program participants at no cost).

2000-2697 Historically Black Colleges and Universities/ Stillman College
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Contact: Eddie B. Thomas (205) 366-8848

Create a Community Development Corporation (CDC) to administer Community Outreach Services including establishing a Community Outreach Partnership Center, Westside Community Development Corporation, Neighborhood Network Center, and a Family Development Center to implement the following initiatives:

1. Establish a process that will help potential homeowners and businesses acquire financial assistance.
2. Provide short and long range strategies and training for residents to enhance entrepreneurial skills.
3. Purchase and renovate two homes to be purchased by first-time homeowners.
4. Establish and implement a Basic Education and GED Program designed to prepare the targeted residents for jobs.
5. Assist the revitalization of the Westgate Shopping Center on the verge of closing in the targeted area. The revitalization will include employing West Tuscaloosa residents.
6. Develop and implement Family Affairs and Educational Initiatives for female head of households.
7. Establish community-based technology programs designed to make residents computer-literate and at the same time, prepare them for technology jobs.
8. Develop and implement Senior Citizens Programs to address issues of health, safety, and self-esteem.

2000-1975 Assisted Living Center for Alabama's Seniors Living in Public Housing
Mobile, Alabama
Contact: Stevens Gregory (334) 434-2202

The Mobile Housing Authority is the first public housing authority in Alabama to receive a HOPE VI urban revitalization grant which will allow the housing authority to convert 40 units of Central Plaza Towers, an elderly high rise, into assisted-living apartments. The housing authority is one of only five housing authorities nation-wide to receive such a grant. The housing authority recently received a Medicaid waiver from the Alabama Medicaid Agency. This approval will give Alabama its first affordable assisted living facility, is precedent setting for Alabama and will be a model for other housing authorities who have units to convert for assisted living for their elderly residing in public housing and needing such services to "age in place" and not be forced to move to a nursing home. The new apartments will be larger one and two bedrooms. Outside agencies will be able to provide residents additional assistance. An atrium is being constructed which will connect the three separate towers and provide office space and retail shops. The residents will be able to buy medications, receive haircuts and have laundry services right where they live. The grant will also increase elevator and laundry facilities, renovate 60 other units, making them handicap-accessible and creating a mini-mall, as well as recreational space.

2000-1811 Bread and Roses Hospitality for Women and Children
Birmingham, Alabama
Contact: Beverly J. Gosnell (205) 290-7645

Bread and Roses was established to provide shelter, food and clothing to homeless women and their children in an atmosphere of hospitality, to provide supportive services necessary to help guests become and remain self-sufficient, to coordinate with other services available in the community to determine the best program to fit the needs of each individual or family, to seek solutions to homelessness and poverty with an attitude of respect that enhances individual dignity, and to serve as allies and advocates, at the local, state, and national levels, for the homeless and hungry. The SHP project, for which B & R received funding, allows the agency to maintain a 20-bed (plus cribs) transitional housing facility for women and children. It is a group living situation requiring a great deal of structure. There are guidelines regarding meal times, curfews, visitation, etc. and participants are assigned weekly chores and contribute daily to the functioning of the facility, which is staffed 24 hours. The result is a positive routine for each person, which helps to stabilize their situation. The agency employs a life-planning approach to individualized case management with each guest and has been quite successful at moving guests to independent living (as high as 95% some years). The facility has been made handicapped accessible, is on a bus line and one block away from the elementary school. It's also close to stores, churches, library, post office and the hospital emergency room. The agency enjoys good relationships with neighbors and the south precinct of the Birmingham Police Department, which is responsive to the agency. Women participate in regularly scheduled house meetings and meet weekly with their Social Worker. Supportive services are provided to each participant, with most needing housing, day care, employment and money management. Other have more intensive needs, such as mental health/substance abuse counseling, legal issues, credit issues, educational goals. This agency has a tremendous knowledge of community resources and how to access them for their clients, having been in the community 18 years.

2000-1184 Twenty-First Century Challenge of Greater Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama
Contact: Mariah Campbell (205) 326-1100

The 21st Century Challenge (21CC) is putting housing on the front burner in the 12 county Birmingham region. Initiated by 50 organizations and more than 200 individuals at the 1999 Raise the Roof Day celebration, 21CC challenges communities, cities and counties in the region to pledge to eliminate sub-standard housing in their area. Patterned after a successful Habitat for Humanity effort in Sumter County, Georgia, 21CC brings that zeal to a more urban setting. Habitat played the lead role in pulling together the broad coalition that is based on the understanding that no one group or approach can solve the housing problem. 21CC partners have expanded the approach from eliminating sub-standard housing to providing adequate affordable housing for the area. The organization of the coalition is a significant accomplishment in itself but 21CC has done more. It has identified an neighborhood to pilot it community based approach and purchased land and properties there for new construction and rehab. Other committees of 21CC are performing a county-wide assessment of housing needs and developing. The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham and two allied foundations have contributed $200,000 to the effort, the first major private philanthropic investment in community development in the area. The coalition marks the first time that faith-based, government and neighborhood organizations in the Birmingham region have worked to develop a common agenda.

2000-2745 Pathways to Success
Florence, Alabama
Contact: June Thompson (256) 766-4330

Pathways to Success was formed in March of 1997 between Community Action Agency of Northwest Alabama ( HUD approved housing counseling agency) and the Florence Housing Authority's Self Sufficiency Program. During a six month period the Partnership conducted surveys to determine the needs of various individuals. Through an extensive formative process the birth of Pathways to Success was developed. Group sessions, as well as comprehensive one on one counseling provides participants with the knowledge to empower themselves and build toward success. Pathways to Success offers employment, education, training, child care, transportation, financial opportunities, budget & money counseling/management, job placement, interviews, resume writing, legal assistance, car repair, college tuition, language interpreters, housing rental assistance as the partners strive to return self-esteem to participants and return them to the productive mainstream of society.

2000-1095 Brighton, Alabama's Revitalization Strategy
Brighton, Alabama
Contact: Hugh Colston (205) 425-8934

Brighton's Mayor and City Council and dozens of residents are the center of a strategic planning partnership that includes planners, architects and economic developers

2000-568 Alabama A&M University (HBCU) / City of Huntsville (CDBG)
Normal, Alabama
Contact: John T. Gibson (256) 851-5230

Demonstrates an effective use of partnerships between the HBCU, Alabama A&M University, and the local government, City of Huntsville's CDBG Program. It also displays creativity in addressing a problem (housing), and demonstrates effective leveraging of resources (HBCU and CDBG funds). The project includes the acquisition of six abandoned houses by the Alabama A&M Community Development Corporation (CDC - $140,600) in the Edmonton Heights Neighborhood. The CDC will be working jointly with the City of Huntsville's CDBG Program by using $220,000 in block grant funds to rehabilitate the structures for low and moderate income first time homeowners.

2000-2227 "Yes I Can: Community Mentors Making a Difference" - Birmingham Housing Authority
Birmingham, Alabama
Contact: Ralph D. Ruggs (205) 521-0620

In 1998, the Cooper Green Homes Resident Council implemented a Youth Education and Development Program called "Yes I Can: Community Mentors Making a Difference." The goals of this program are to encourage youth to

1. stay in school;
2. excel academically; and
3. to overcome obstacles that may prevent them from reaching their fullest potential.

They wanted the youth in the Cooper Green Homes community to know that they too can make a difference. Four years prior to the implementation of the program, Spaulding Elementary School which serves the residents of Cooper Green Homes was on Academic Alert II status with the State Board of Education. There had not been one resident graduating from high school in over 4 years. The resident management council realized that something had to be done - the young people in the community were truly "at risk." The RMC approached the Birmingham Housing Authority for PHDEP monies. These funds had been previously used for a summer program by an outside service provider and the RMC felt that there would be a great impact on the young residents by providing a program that extended into the school year rather than just a summer program. With the assistance of the Social Services Department of the HABD, the funding was budgeted to start the program. The youth are taught leadership skills that allow the participants to work with positive mentors, expand their cultural horizons, define positive values, instill high self-confidence and esteem and prepare them to be productive as citizens.

2000-3134 Princeton Towers Neighborhood Networks Center
Birmingham, Alabama
Contact: Murray R. J. (205) 715-5000

This program enables elderly residents to gain current knowledge of computers and the use of technology. It also provides residents a network of local community organizations not only for contributions of services but also to enlighten these organizations to the reality that out elderly population needs to grow with technology as well as the younger population.

2000-485 Cultural Arts-Huntsville Housing Authority
Huntsville, Alabama
Contact: T. (Al) A. Harris (256) 539-0774

Mr. Al Harris had a vision for use of the Oscar Mason Community Center at Sparkman Homes Apartments and formed a partnership with five institutions of higher learning that serve Huntsville and Madison County to offer cultural experiences in art, music and drama to the youth who live in their public housing communities. Under the partnership agreement, Huntsville Housing Authority provides building space, staff, utilities, custodial and maintenance services. The schools in turn provide training to the youth in ceramics, painting, photography, sculpture, music, drama, story-telling and set designing for plays and musical presentations.

2000-1282 Bright Beginnings Preschool - Andalusia Housing Authority
Andalusia, Alabama
Contact: Martha Carter (334) 222-5871

Andalusia Housing Authority, a 120-unit public housing authority in southern Alabama, began to see an increasing number of high school dropouts in their community and particularly among the youth living in public housing. Martha Carter, Executive Director, knew that the people living in public housing were just as honorable as people living elsewhere, but could not afford to send their children to preschool. These children desired the same opportunity to have a "bright beginnings" before beginning their public education. Martha Carter's vision and dream was to do something for the children of Andalusia Housing Authority. With the approval of her request for a waiver to use a unit as a pre-school and a cooperative agreement with the local school board for a teacher for one year, the vision and dream became a reality in 1991, starting with seventeen 3-and 4-year olds. The Alabama Department of Human Resources and the JOBS Program volunteered their time in working with the housing authority to ensure the success of the program. The preschool is a nonprofit school for children 3 and 4 years of age who live in the Andalusia Housing Authority. The school operates from September through May. The 3-year old program emphasizes speech and language skills and socialization while the 4-year old program emphasizes speech and language skills, socialization skills and age appropriate school readiness skills to prepare them for the regular classroom. The preschool's long term goals are to reduce aggressive behaviors and reduce school failure when the children enter kindergarten and elementary school. Most importantly, the parents and grandparents are urged to take an active role in their circular and extracurricular school activities.

2000-1745 Gadsden Community Housing Resource Board
Gadsden, Alabama
Contact: Gladys Barnes (256) 546-0635

This Board received funds from the City of Gadsden`s CDBG Program and space along with resource support from the Gadsden PHA to provide counseling to needed persons and families. In addition, the Board assist families and persons in filing housing discrimination complaint when the need occurs. The Board assist the City in carrying out its fair housing program.

2000-3136 Alabama Neighborhood Networks Consortium, Inc.
Birmingham, Alabama
Contact: Osteen Frewin (334) 456-3324

The mission of the AL. Neighborhood Networks Consortium is to provide comprehensive resources and services to promote development and long term sustainability of existing and emerging Neighborhoods Network Centers in the State of Alabama.

2000-1581 Safeplace Supportive Housing
Florence, Alabama
Contact: Arneda Heath (256) 767-3076

Safeplace, Inc. provides the only transitional housing facility for homeless victims of domestic violence in the counties of Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Marion and Winston in Northwest Alabama. When Safeplace opened on July 1, 1981, it was filled to its capacity of 12. From 1981 until 1990, a number of services were added in response to specific needs of victims. Some of these included prevention programs in schools and communities, a crime victims assistance program, non-residential counseling/support groups for victims and their children, training for professionals, court mandated batterer's counseling, outreach in rural communities and linking of victims to community services. As services and outreach grew, more and more victims were turned away from the facility because of lack of space. The Board of Trustees began planning for the acquisition, renovation and/or construction of a larger, fully handicapped accessible facility. This was accomplished with a HUD SHP grant in 1995 and contributions received as a result of a capital campaign. The new facility, with a capacity of 35, was occupied in April, 1997. Expanded on-site services were offered, including educational/job preparation classes, residential individual and group counseling, and a full-time children's counselor to help the children deal with the trauma of family violence. Since occupying this facility, Safeplace has continued to expand outreach efforts to the more rural counties with the addition of two satellite offices, one in Lawrence and one in Franklin Counties. Efforts to train health care professionals have expanded with alliances with the Coffee Health Group and Public Health Area I. The formation of the Lauderdale and Marion County Domestic Violence Response Coalitions have resulted in better community awareness of the problems caused by domestic violence. Safeplace was instrumental in the formation of the Homeless Care Council of Northwest Alabama, a continuum of care coalition seeking to identify and assess the needs of all homeless individuals in its service area and to plan services and housingh to fill gaps.

2000-452 Homebuyers Club, Prichard Housing Authority
Prichard, Alabama
Contact: Charles Pharr (334) 456-1022

The Prichard Housing Authority developed the Homebuyers' Club as part of its Affordable Homes and Homeownership Programs in partnership with the City of Prichard, local financial institutions, real estate and insurance companies, law firms, nonprofit organizations and other private and public sector organizations. Working together, these groups participate jointly in the homeownership opportunities to selected low to moderate income eligible families in the City of Prichard and Mobile County area who would not otherwise be able to purchase their own home. The goals of the Homebuyers' Club are to increase homeownership through self-help and empowerment, to help prospective homeowners understand the challenges and responsibilities that come with homeownership, and to increase the number of qualified homebuyers, especially first time homebuyers. The Homebuyers' Club offers workshops and training sessions for residents and community-based groups on specific homeownership topics and conducts group counseling programs on credit and financial planning. To participate in the Homebuyers' Club, each member must faithfully attend required monthly meetings and support all club activities, commit to a 12 to 24 month program and pledge to complete a program of monthly financial planning. Membership in the Club moves through three phases as each member progresses toward homeownership:

• Phase I - determines each member family's level of readiness for homeownership. Total family participation is required. A maximum of 15 families is admitted to each Homebuyers' Club unit.
• Phase II - helps participants take a realistic look at homeownership and what they can afford to spend for a home. Helps participants determine if they are financially prepared for homeownership by showing them how to analyze their current expenses and compare those to the up-front and on-going costs of a home purchase.
• Phase III - home purchase. New home members are encouraged to continue their membership so they can share their experiences with others.

Continued participation entitles members to a free home maintenance inspection on the anniversary of their purchase.

2000-957 Supportive Housing for Homeless People with Disabilities - Jefferson County Housing Authority
Birmingham, Alabama
Contact: Eric Q. Strong (205) 849-0123

The Jefferson County Housing Authority saw a need for providing housing to the homeless individuals with disabilities and their families in metropolitan Birmingham and surrounding counties. On any given night there are approximately 2,000 homeless individuals in the Birmingham and Jefferson County area. The housing authority took an innovative approach to providing this needed housing because they could not meet their needs with their regular public housing and section 8 rental assistance programs. They applied for and received three Shelter Plus Care Rental Assistance grants for an estimated $9.5 million. They have been successful in partnering with grantees who match the rental assistance dollar for dollar with supportive services for alcohol and drug abuse, AIDS, and physical and emotional disabilities.

Content Archived: April 20, 2011