This past Tuesday, Rotarians heard from Chris Hall, Director of Development for the Tuscaloosa Housing Authority, on all of the recent work his office has done for renewal of public housing in our city. Rotarian Steve Katsinas introduced the speaker.
The THA is a quasi-governmental agency which provides affordable housing opportunities to eligible lower-income residents. They manage or administer more than 2,000 affordable housing units in Tuscaloosa, and maintain a waiting list with more than 2,000 families.

That kind of job is a challenge in any environment, and the THA seeks funding, Hall said, through a combination of government funds, tax credits and grants. In 2004, the THA applied for and received a $20 million HOPE VI Grant from HUD to revitalize McKenzie Court. McKenzie was completed in the fall of 2010 (pictured left) and is now one of the premiere affordable housing developments in the entire state.

Hall said the THA has long worked to revitalize Rosedale as well. On April 27, 2011, out of pure coincidence, the tornado completely destroyed a part of Rosedale that was proposed for renewal. In June THA was then awarded $13.6 million in tax credits for Rosedale revitalization.

The City has now identified the 10th Avenue corridor as one of the ―strategic gateways‖ in the Tuscaloosa Forward Plan. Rosedale is the centerpiece of the corridor, which connects Interstate 20/59 almost directly to Bryant Denny Stadium and the University of Alabama. THA’s aim is to make Tuscaloosa proud of Rosedale and that part of town, while also providing quality affordable housing to our lower-income citizens. For more information on the TAH and its programs, visit www.tuscaloosahousing.org.