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By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times
Cooper Green Homes has completed nearly $30 million in renovations, marking a significant investment in affordable housing on Birmingham’s southwest side.
City leaders, housing officials and development partners gathered Wednesday, Oct. 14, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the final phases of renovations at the 32-acre community, which provides affordable rental housing to eligible residents.
Paces Preservation Partners, a strategic partnership between The Paces Foundation and Soho Housing Partners, led the project in collaboration with the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District (HABD). Synovus Bank, in partnership with United Bank, Bellwether, and HABD, provided financing.
HABD President and CEO Dontrelle Young Foster said the project reflects a commitment to preserving affordable housing while improving residents’ quality of life.
“Together, we are preserving affordable housing through substantial rehabilitation by investing in the future of our residents,” Young Foster said. “This continued transformation is a part of our vision for stronger and more vibrant communities throughout the city of Birmingham.”
Built in 1971, Cooper Green Homes consists of 46 two-story residential buildings with 227 apartments, plus a community center, management office, day care center with Head Start programming, and several playgrounds.
The nearly $30 million investment amounts to approximately $132,000 in improvements per apartment. The renovated community includes 50 one-bedroom units, 77 two-bedroom units, 83 three-bedroom units, 12 four-bedroom units and five five-bedroom units.
U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala., said the project represents an important step toward addressing the housing affordability crisis affecting families across Birmingham and the country.
“Today’s ribbon-cutting of the newly renovated Cooper Green Homes represents an important step toward tackling the housing crisis and ensuring every family has a quality, affordable place to live,” Sewell said. “I commend all the partners who helped make this project a reality, and I look forward to seeing Cooper Green Homes continue to serve as a source of strength and opportunity for the Birmingham community.”
During her remarks, Sewell emphasized the importance of partnerships among federal, state and local governments and the private sector in expanding access to affordable housing. She also noted that housing costs remain a significant burden for families and said she would continue advocating for federal resources to support communities throughout Alabama.
The renovations addressed both the buildings’ interiors and exteriors. Improvements included new roofs, gutters, energy-efficient windows and siding, attic insulation and brick repairs. Inside the apartments, crews installed new appliances, cabinets, countertops, plumbing fixtures, lighting, flooring, heating and cooling systems, and water heaters.
The final phases also focused on shared amenities and resident safety. Improvements included a playground with shade coverings and solar lighting, new water and dog parks, and a protective concrete buffer wall separating the property from a neighboring railway and fuel facility.
For Steve Bien, president and CEO of Soho Housing Partners, the project shows how strategic investments can preserve affordable housing while improving the surrounding communities.
“Paces Preservation Partners is honored to have worked with the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District and our finance partners to bring innovative ways to improve affordable housing here and preserve Cooper Green as a high-quality community that residents can comfortably afford,” Bien said.
Steven Bauhan, chief development officer of The Paces Foundation, said the work extends beyond the physical rehabilitation of buildings.
“Affordable housing is about more than preserving buildings — it is also about making the investments that foster stable, welcoming communities where families can thrive for years to come,” Bauhan said.
Birmingham City Councilor Crystal Smitherman, who represents District 6, also attended the ceremony. She emphasized that housing investments help provide residents with stability, dignity and opportunities to build better futures.
All apartments at Cooper Green Homes are reserved for households earning 60% or less of the area median household income. HABD provides rental assistance to help keep units affordable.
HABD, Alabama’s largest public housing provider, serves approximately 23,000 residents. The agency’s mission includes expanding access to affordable housing, fostering inclusive communities, and creating opportunities for residents.
With the renovations complete, Cooper Green Homes continues its effort to preserve existing affordable housing while providing residents with updated living spaces, improved amenities, and a more sustainable community for years to come.
