City of Birmingham awarded $50 million to build affordable housing in Smithfield

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. —

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is giving $50 million to revitalize the Smithfield neighborhood.

HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge was excited to announce the recipients of the Choice Neighborhood Grants Wednesday in the Magic City.

“I’m so excited,” Fudge said. “I can’t keep it no longer. I am here today because I want to say that this community is so deserving of this $50 million.”

That money will be put toward building affordable homes in the Smithfield neighborhood.

“People talk about there is no affordable housing, and I admit that there is not,” Fudge said. “There is a crisis in this country, but your community has come together and put together one of the best grant proposals we have ever seen.”

Congresswoman Terri Sewell calls this victory a team effort with the help of the community.

“You came out to the more than five town hall meetings to tell us what you envision this amazing place to become,” she said. “This is a major step forward towards leveling the playing field and revitalizing these neighborhoods.”

Birmingham’s mission for the past five years was improving the quality of life for residents. Leaders hope this grant will open up doors for the community and provide resources like education, health care and workforce development.

“It is a catalyst for change — change for the better,” Sewell said, “for economic revitalization of this amazing place honoring our history but building and envisioning a better future.”