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New affordable housing unveiled in Bessemer and it’s just beginning
On Wednesday, May 29th, three newly completed homes were unveiled by the Bessemer Redevelopment Corporation, Regions Foundation and community partners as part of a series of new investments in Bessemer’s Northside neighborhood.
Affordable housing in Bessemer
The prefabricated homes along the 2600-block of 6th Avenue North are part of the Northside Community Housing Development Initiative.
Created about four years ago by the nonprofit Bessemer Redevelopment Corporation, the initiative’s mission is to bring new investments and modern, affordable housing to the neighborhood stretching between downtown Bessemer and nearby Brighton and Lipscomb.
Big day for Bessemer
For years, Northside was challenged by disinvestment, abandoned homes, empty lots, and more. That trend is being reversed by the community.
“For this community, this is a critical step. This community for 50-plus years has not seen a new investment or new construction. It is a part of what Bessemer Redevelopment has been about for the last three years which is to show the community that there is an opportunity to bring it back to where it should be. It’s a big day.”
Brian Giattina, president of the Bessemer Redevelopment Corporation Board of Directors
Regions Foundation and community support reverse trend
The Regions Foundation supported the construction and financing of the three new homes with a $150,000 grant.
Numerous community partners joined the project, including:
- Deer Valley Homebuilders, Inc.
- Housing Affordability Trust
- United Bank
- Alabama Power Foundation
- Navigate and Navigate Gives Back organizations
- Goodrich Foundation
- City of Bessemer
“We want to see communities getting together and recreating the progress that they used to see, Northside has seen so many years of disinvestment. It’s time to change that. To reverse that trend.
The Bessemer Redevelopment Corporation, when they started about four years ago, joined forces with public officials, community partners, nonprofits, financial institutions and foundations like the Regions Foundation that I serve. They created a plan — a rebirth!”
Marta Self, executive director of the Regions Foundation
The focus of the Bessemer Redevelopment Corporation goes beyond high-quality housing to include investments in areas:
- Public spaces
- Sidewalks
- Streetlights and other community assets
- Commercial development
- Community neighborhood anchor projects to complement the new housing that is replacing vacant Northside lots
What’s next in Bessemer
At the ribbon-cutting, Giattina summed up what’s next for the project.
“You have gotta start with three (homes) to get to the next three to get to the next three. This is about this community. This is not necessarily about the three houses that you have in front of you. This is about the neighbors, the community, and the people that have been a part of this community for 50 plus years giving them what they rightfully deserve… this is just the beginning.”
Brian Giattina, president of the Bessemer Redevelopment Corporation Board of Directors
Want to learn about the new homes in Bessemer or ways you can help this innovative and dynamic project? Contact Bessemer Redevelopment Corporation and join their effort!
Tell us what you think of this initiative on Instagram by tagging us at @bhamnow !
