HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Fulfilling the need for more affordable housing has been a big concern for the city and a new project looks to do so. " Being able to provide this transitional housing where they will pay rent, but the rents will be at a level that they can afford is a step in improving quality of life for these folks," Executive director of Neighborhood Concepts Mary Ellen Judah shares. "We are not specifically providers for the homeless population but what we understand is that there are a multitude of factors that come into play but certainly the rising cost of housing has had a big impact on those numbers over the past several years."
City of Huntsville leaders approved a project to build a 42-unit multi-family development partially supported by American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to provide safe, affordable housing for the homeless and other vulnerable groups.
The facility will be constructed on Venona Avenue, on land owned by Neighborhood Concepts Inc. Neighborhood Concepts will leverage the City’s commitment of $2,300,376 in HOME Investment Partnerships ARP funding to apply for $12.8 million in State ARP funding through the Alabama Housing Finance Authority.
The development, to be known as New Stone Commons Apartments, will provide affordable housing for homeless, formerly homeless and those fleeing domestic violence. Supportive services will be available to residents, and the building’s design will include individual and group meeting rooms for case management assistance.
"So New Futures is actually a homeless provider here in town and they will also be in the ownership and will be providing services as needed to the residents," Judah shares. "As well as Wellstone and we hope that other non-profits and service providers in the community will take advantage of the meeting spaces that we've got to work with our clients."
The development property will be owned by New Stone Commons, a to-be-formed limited liability company. Neighborhood Concepts and New Futures, both Huntsville non-profit organizations, will serve as members of the LLC.
"The city of Huntsville is a great partner," Judah shares. "They recognize that there are varying housing needs throughout our community and do a wonderful job of utilizing the resources that they have to make sure that there are equitable housing opportunities for all of the residents of Huntsville. "
Previous Coverage:
The City of Huntsville is allocating $384,000 in critical funding to support area nonprofits in a collective mission to aid individuals facing homelessness and at risk of its grip.
Community Development will soon distribute PY 2023 Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) to agencies in Madison, Morgan and Limestone counties. Huntsville City Council approved nine resolutions for the grant funding at its regular meeting on April 11.
The following Huntsville agencies will receive funds:
AshaKiran – $25,000
Community Action Partnership of Huntsville/Madison & Limestone Co. – $89,000
Crisis Services of North Alabama – $20,000
Family Services Center – $50,000
First Stop – $90,000
Hands Across Decatur – $20,000
New Futures – $35,000
North Alabama Coalition for the Homeless – $25,000
The Salvation Army – $30,000
Many of the above organizations received similar city funding in fiscal year 2022.
First enacted in 1987, the ESG Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with grants to be used for street outreach, emergency shelter, rental assistance and more. ADECA administers the ESG Program on behalf of HUD.
City of Huntsville leaders also approved a project to build a 42-unit multi-family development partially supported by American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to provide safe, affordable housing for the homeless and other vulnerable groups.
The facility will be constructed on Venona Avenue, on land owned by Neighborhood Concepts Inc. Neighborhood Concepts will leverage the City’s commitment of $2,300,376 in HOME Investment Partnerships ARP funding to apply for $12.8 million in State ARP funding through the Alabama Housing Finance Authority.
The development, to be known as New Stone Commons Apartments, will provide affordable housing for homeless, formerly homeless and those fleeing domestic violence. Supportive services will be available to residents, and the building’s design will include individual and group meeting rooms for case management assistance.
“We are excited to be moving forward on this development that will benefit our most vulnerable communities,” Director of Community Development Scott Erwin said. “In addition to the homes, the services available to residents are a crucial part of this project.”
The development property will be owned by New Stone Commons, a to-be-formed limited liability company. Neighborhood Concepts and New Futures, both Huntsville non-profit organizations, will serve as members of the LLC.
Completion of New Stone Commons Apartments is expected by December 2025.