City of New Albany Works to Improve Supply of Affordable Housing

At this morning’s Board of Public Works and Safety meeting, the city took action to help improve the supply of affordable housing for moderate to low income households in New Albany. At the meeting, the City committed to transfer the Linden Meadows Property (currently owned by the City of New Albany) to the New Albany Housing Authority and New Hope Development Services for the purpose of expanding and improving affordable housing in the City of New Albany. These steps also work towards implementing goals of the City of New Albany’s 2017 Comprehensive Plan, which seeks to promote a more balanced mix of public and subsidized housing.

“Today’s action moves us forward in the 10 year plan to improve and reorganize public housing in New Albany.  I am hopeful this project which will improve affordable housing options will be viewed favorably by HUD officials to improve the quality of life for the New Albany Housing Authority residents,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan.  

The City and the New Albany Housing Authority have been jointly developing a sustainable plan to combat the $138 million worth of maintenance shortfalls at the Housing Authority, along with finding a solution to the extreme density and concentration of public housing units, lack of access to important services, and poor conditions of current properties. Part of that solution includes this project which will increase the supply of affordable housing for low and moderate-income families.

This property will be eligible for tax credits through the Indiana Housing and Community development Authority (ICHDA), allowing rents and payments to remain affordable for all citizens that qualify and permit ultimate home ownership.

“It is an exciting opportunity to apply for and complete this application with the ICHDA for the first development of this type in our community that includes affordable housing and the opportunity for lease to own,” stated David Duggins, Interim Director of the New Albany Housing Authority.

About NEW HOPE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES – New Hope is a nonprofit corporation that manages, constructs, and provides affordable housing in the community. New Hope serves thousands of families every year that need help – and hope. New Hope Development Services, Inc. has provided affordable housing to Indiana for nearly two decades. To learn more about New Hope Development Services, please visit https://www.newhopeservices.org/

Recent Timeline of NAHA Events and Additional Info

• April, 2016 - In April of last year, the City of New Albany entered into a contractual agreement with Patrick Costigan and CF Housing Group, headquartered in Washington, DC to assist the New Albany Housing Authority in planning a strategy to meet the capital maintenance needs of the public housing authority. As part of this process, along with the creation of an updated comprehensive plan for the city, recommendations have been made for a reduction in overall housing authority units. The new comprehensive plan calls for a reduction of units, along with a decentralization of current units in New Albany.
   
• January 4th, 2017 - The City of New Albany detailed the partnership between CF Housing Group, the City of New Albany, and the New Albany Housing Authority. New Housing Authority board members are appointed.
  
  “This marks the beginning steps the City of New Albany and the New Albany Housing Authority will be taking to improve public housing. In conjunction with the comprehensive plan and the recommendation of CF Housing Group, we will reduce the density of public housing on HUD properties inside the city limits, improve existing public housing stock, and improve the quality of life for all residents,” stated Mayor Gahan, January 4th, 2017.
  
  http://newalbanycityhall.com/home/2017/1/4/new-albany-public-housing-plans-advancing
   
• January 25th, 2017 - New Comprehensive Plan moves to City Council, and is unanimously approved by the Council. The plan details goals for the decentralization and modernization of public housing units.
  
  http://newalbanycityhall.com/home/2017/1/25/comprehensive-plan-moves-to-council-for-approval
   
• April 24th, 2017 - New Albany Housing Authority Board passes the Memorandum of Understanding.
  
  http://www.newsandtribune.com/news/board-opts-for-new-albany-s-public-housing-vision-passes/article_16dd8a02-294f-11e7-ac20-c395f05ed06b.html
   
• June 12th, 2017 - NAHA Maintenance issues brought to attention of Mayor Gahan
  
  http://newalbanycityhall.com/home/2017/6/12/naha-maintenance-issues
   
• November 16th, 2017 - Public Housing Update from Mayor Gahan that discusses recent medical improvements as well as the Physical Needs Assessment
  
  http://newalbanycityhall.com/home/2017/11/16/public-housing-update-1