Birmingham City Council Highlights 4.18.23
Here are a few of the legislative highlights from Tuesday’s Birmingham City Council meeting, in case you missed it.
ITEM 27
The Council approved a loan agreement between the City and Own It Property Solutions to rehabilitate four existing houses in the Eastlake neighborhood as a way to increase the housing stock of low-to-moderate income housing.
According to city officials, the recipient of the loan has agreed to use the proceeds from the eventual sale of these four homes to rehabilitate and create more affordable housing units on the 4th Ave. North.
The City will be contributing $400,000 to the total project cost of $600,000. Once the homes are sold, the borrower will determine how many more homes will be rehabilitated from the proceeds.
“I remember hearing about this project, and how this money is going to be a revolving door of sorts to help the developer rehabilitate more homes with the initial money that was loaned,” Councilor Carol Clarke said. “And if my understanding is correct, some of the funds loaned by the City could be used during the sale to help keep these homes affordable for families.”
The affordability and price of the homes will be determined by the housing market once the rehabilitations are complete. The timeline for that build process is roughly one year.
Here is the item as it appeared on Tuesday’s agenda:
ITEM 27. A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a Loan Agreement between the City of Birmingham and Own It Property Solutions LLC, under which Own It Property Solutions LLC, will be awarded a loan under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to be used by the Borrower for financial assistance for the Project, in the amount of $400,000.00, to rehabilitate four (4) existing homes located in the Eastlake neighborhood increasing the housing stock of low-to-moderate housing units in the area. The City is willing to make the loan to the Borrower upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth in this Agreement. (Submitted by the City Attorney) (Recommended by the Director of Community Development and the Budget and Finance Committee) **
Statement from Councilor LaTonya Tate, Chair of the Public Safety Committee, on recent gun violence in Alabama
“Senseless gun violence is an issue that has broken too many families, not just in Birmingham or Alabama, but our nation as a whole. The situation that unfolded in Dadeville this past weekend is hard to even comprehend.
So far there have been few details to come out of this ongoing situation but we do know that the life of a young man who was committed to play football at Jacksonville State
University was cut short by this shooting. Three other members of the community were killed and the lives of those who witnessed this mass shooting will forever be changed.
It is my hope that law enforcement can continue their investigation and bring some form of justice for the families and friends of those who lost their lives. When you are not even safe from gun violence at a young girl’s 16th birthday party, something must change. Thoughts and prayers are no longer enough. We need action.
We have to come together as a community — one voice — and say enough is enough. My office is committed to helping establish community-driven programs and policies that can be an outlet for our young people who often feel hopeless or lost.
Today, the City of Birmingham grieves for the residents of Dadeville and offers any and all support that we can give during this difficult time.”
BOARD APPOINTMENTS
There is an opening on the Birmingham Parking Authority, which regulates city’s parking spaces, decks and lots.
Applicants must be a registered voter with an address in the city limits of Birmingham.
For anyone interested in serving, please forward a letter of interest and resume to Myeisha.Hutchinson@birminghamal.gov
