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About

Function

Huntsville Housing Authority (HHA) administers federal subsidies that support almost 3,000 units of public and other assisted housing. We also work with builders, developers, lenders and private housing providers to expand affordable housing opportunities in Madison County. We support self-sufficiency and offer resources for current and aspiring homeowners.

We also administer federal funding programs including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), the HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) Grant, the Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG), and the Neighborhood Stabilization Grant programs, designed to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low and moderate-income households. We are primarily responsible for developing affordable housing, to include the oversight of the Documentary Stamp Surtax (Surtax) and State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) funds for affordable housing development.

Huntsville Area Benefits:

  • Quality affordable housing opportunities
  • Neighborhood revitalization and stabilization activities
  • Economic independence opportunities
  • Partnerships with private and public entities to optimize resources through innovative programs
  • Efficient and effective management of resources generated

History

Past and Present

Huntsville Housing Authority was created in 1941 with the passing of a petition by the Huntsville City Council. The petition reflected special concerns for low-income families. It cited unsafe and unsanitary housing, and a general shortage throughout the City of sound affordable housing. The Authority’s first developments were Redstone Park and Binford Court, both since razed. Binford Court was replaced in 1992 with 110 new apartment units. Over 75 years later, public housing in Huntsville includes 13 developments with 1,773 apartment units that house 4,000 of our low-income citizens. In addition, the Authority manages a HUD Housing Choice Voucher Program that provides more than 1,500 low-income families with rental assistance in the private market.Today, HHA is working to move beyond the fundamental mandate of HUD and identify and create upward mobility opportunities that will lead to self-determination and self-realization for our housing customers. Specific, identified goals include:
Housing Inventory
The Authority’s ability to recruit and retain residents of a broad range of incomes is limited by both functional and aesthetic aspects of our properties. To expand income levels within our resident population, we will develop cost-efficient ways to improve both the appearance and utility of our properties. We will also pursue redevelopment opportunities within our public housing communities. Furthermore, we will continue to strive to improve the perceptions of public housing and its residents in an effort to minimize the “housing of last resort” stigma.
Nonprofit Partnerships
To cope with decreases in federal program income for support services, the Authority will work to develop a more extensive range of nonprofit partners to serve our residents. A key strategy will be identifying those organizations whose mission seeks to serve our population, and then incorporating methodologies that reduce redundancies and enhance the efficiency of the available services.
Relationship Strengthening
The Authority relies upon the goodwill of the community and its elected and business leaders to achieve its mission. We will improve these ties and investigate possible new methods of cooperation that will serve both the community as a whole and the resident population.
Land Use
The majority of the Authority’s public housing inventory was developed prior to the rapid expansion of our city. As a result, our public housing communities are located in areas that are now considered to be prime commercial property. Concurrently, the location of many jobs has shifted to areas away from the city center. By examining the highest and best use of our properties, we will be better prepared to capitalize upon this improving market for our property, while also improving our residents’ access to work and services.
Innovative Financing
The Authority’s inventory of public housing, while suffering from some forms of functional obsolescence, is located in areas of our community that are rapidly increasing in value. The Authority will investigate changes in regulations that allow public housing to be leveraged so that the Authority may better utilize these assets to further its mission.
New Revenue Streams
Predicated upon our concern regarding future federal funding, the Authority will actively develop new revenue streams for the Authority. Areas under examination include public/private partnerships, development of services for use by the private sector, and leveraging of existing assets to ensure that the Authority is able to continue fulfilling its mission.

Mission

Huntsville Housing Authority’s mission is to develop and preserve a high standard of safe, affordable housing for qualifying individuals and families, free from discrimination.  HHA believes housing is a basic need and the foundation for a successful life.  HHA’s dedicated staff, along with community partners, will promote neighborhood revitalization, self-sufficiency, and assist our families in achieving long-term economic success and a sustained high quality of life.

Executive Director

As executive director of the Huntsville Housing Authority, Mrs. Sandra Eddlemon works closely with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Huntsville city officials, and other County departments and affordable housing entities to provide high quality, affordable housing opportunities to low-and moderate income working families, individuals and elderly in our community.

Board of Commissioners

The Huntsville Housing Authority Board of Commissioners has five members.

The current members are:

Delvin Sullivan – Chairman

Leon D. Fountain – Vice Chairman

Lee A. Horton

Delmonize Smith, Ph.D.

Shaquila Willie