HUD Designates New EnVision Center in Huntsville, Alabama

City Huntsville, Huntsville Housing Authority and partners as well as Mr. Ken Free, HUD Alabama Field Office Director participate in the ribbon cutting ceremony of the new Huntsville EnVision Center

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Region IV Administrator Denise Cleveland-Leggett virtually announced on October 22, 2020 during a ribbon cutting ceremony the designation of the new Huntsville EnVision Center located in the Calvary Hills Center, situated within the Northwoods Public Housing development. The Huntsville EnVision Center is the second such center in the Alabama following the designation of the Birmingham Hope Center in November 2019.

The EnVision Center sits in the heart of the Northwood's Community, which is Huntsville's Housing Authority's largest public housing development with 447 units and will serve the residents with self-sufficiency services as well as expand to serve the surrounding community.

"City of Huntsville, Huntsville Housing Authority and partners can be proud of its national designation and recognition as a HUD EnVision Center," said Cleveland-Leggett. "EnVision Centers were created with a simple goal in mind: to empower people to reach their greatest potential by helping them become self-sufficient. These Centers take a holistic approach to community revitalization, going beyond brick and mortar investments and investing in what matters most - people."

"The City of Huntsville is proud to partner with the Huntsville Housing Authority to establish the new EnVision Center at Cavalry Hill," said Mayor Tommy Battle. "This facility offers programs through Boys & Girls Clubs, the public library, Parks & Recreation, and Village of Promise. Increasing outreach through the EnVision Center will provide additional programs for families to help us better serve the Northwoods community and beyond."

"I think sometimes our communities get overlooked and jobs come to Huntsville and our residents aren't equipped to apply for those jobs so this will be an opportunity to help equip our residents with the tools they need to go out and compete for the jobs that are coming here to Huntsville," said Huntsville Housing Authority's Executive Director Antonio McGinnis.

Drake State is a partner with the EnVision Center. Quisha Bryant, Huntsville Housing Authority Deputy Executive Director, stresses the importance of having a higher education partner to give people the tools to succeed.

"Sometimes paths change and so we want to be able to assist our residents as they make new journeys and new paths for themselves and their families so that they can be empowered and so they can become self-sufficient," said Bryant.

###