Current Projects and Grants

Housing Fund of Central Alabama Grant: Aletheia House, Chris Retan Birmingham, AL 205-324-6502

Grant amount: $7,500

The Housing Fund of Central Alabama awarded a grant to Aletheia House in April 2004 to create a business plan for a spin-off affiliate to develop and manage quality affordable housing in Jefferson County.

Aletheia House is a Birmingham-based non-profit that has provided substance abuse treatment and prevention services for 30 years. It also develops and manages housing for low-income people, including but not limited to, those who have completed its treatment program. In 2003-2004, the agency developed 64 units of permanent housing known as Avondale Gardens, a $5.5 million investment in the historic Avondale neighborhood of Birmingham.

Grant proceeds were used to pay the salary of a summer intern to develop the comprehensive plan. Among the questions the research sought to address:

  • What are the need of the various markets and sub-markets in Jefferson County?
  • What are the specific products that can be developed to meet the needs of the target population?
  • What are the barriers to developing affordable housing, and how can these barriers be overcome?
  • What are the goals of local government organizations, and what resources do they have to accomplish these goals?
  • What types of programs have been most successful in other communities?
  • What type of staff and technology does the new entity need to become a successful housing organization?

Aletheia House completed the plan in September 2004. The plan will inform Aletheia House's planning process, and will be used to raise operating support money for the proposed housing development affiliate.