Homeownership Month

Rain couldn't stop the Mobile Housing Board's Grand Opening of the John F. Gray Subdivision on May 30, 2002. More than 50 people turned out in the rain to witness the opening of several houses in the subdivision, named after a noted Mobile educator and Housing Board member. Mack Heaton, Director of Public and Indian Housing in HUD's Birmingham office joined Stevens Gregory, Executive Director of the Mobile Housing Board, and Mr. Gray at the job site.

On June 3, 2002, Region IV Director Jim Chaplin delivered the keynote speech at a ribbon cutting for the Southampton Subdivision. The event kicked off Alabama's Homeownership Month activities More than 75 people crowded under a tent in sweltering heat to hear speakers including Congressman Earl Hilliard and representatives of Birmingham City government. Ralph Ruggs, Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District (HABD), presented toolboxes to the eleven first-time homeowners. Philip Morris, an architectural writer formerly with Southern Living congratulated the developers on the quality of the neighborhood-based design.

On June 11, 2002, Neighborhood Housing Services (A NeighborWorks affiliate) and the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District held a reception for participants in their Section 8 Homeownership Counseling program. Birmingham Field Office Director Cindy Yarbrough congratulated the graduates of the program who are now eligible for a homeownership voucher.