Albany City Commission OKs block grant for Albany Housing Authority

ALBANY — The Albany Housing Authority’s Oaks at North Intown revitalization project took a major step forward Tuesday when the Albany City Commission voted unanimously to accept the authority’s master plan and okay a $85,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) that will clear the way for the housing authority to request federal support for the project.

The CDBG will be used to construct a blast wall on property owned by the housing authority on the 500 block of Residence Avenue, which will protect future housing development from any potential danger that could come from an above ground propane tank located on Roosevelt Avenue that is used by Amerigas to fill portable propane tanks.

“We’re coming to you for the $85,000 to do that blast wall,” explained Dan McCarthy, executive director of the housing authority. “We need to do it because of environmental concerns. It’s propane gas and it has the potential for blast exposure and so we can’t, under the federal rules, build this housing unless we mitigate against this propane gas tank.”

The construction of the blast wall is one of many steps that will ultimately allow the housing authority to apply for Low Income Housing Tax Credits, which are administered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Those credits, McCarthy told commissioners, are vital for generating the estimated $11 million of funding needed to get phase one of the housing initiative underway.

Phase One of the Oaks at North Intown project is centered around the revitalization of the McIntosh Homes and Golden Age Homes, public low income housing units located on West Society Avenue and West Tift Avenue between Madison Street and Davis Street.

“This is our first effort on this phase,” said McCarthy. “We’re looking at a project that’s around $11 million and at this date the $85,000 is the only contribution coming into this plan from the city other than the donation of some of the land that was assembled in this area.”

In addition to the commission approving the CDBG funds the board’s formal adoption of the overall Oaks at North Intown project will have a positive impact on the housing authority’s request for the low income housing tax credits which the authority will be be applying for in early June.

McCarthy said the request for those credits is a competitive process where the Department of Community Affairs reviews applications for projects throughout the state that meet a certain set of criteria, which includes local governmental support of the project.

“It’s certainly helpful to have the city’s support,” said McCarthy. “We’re excited to have that support and we are pushing forward with the application. We feel we have a very competitive application.”

When presenting a motion for the commission to accept McCarthy’s request, commissioner Tommie Postell said he understood the need for the city’s commitment early on to ensure the project moving forward.

“I feel real comfortable with what you’re saying about building low to moderate income houses in that area,” said Postell. “You need this blast wall or whatever you call it to initiate that and the $85,000 would bring that project into focus. I’m in favor of it.”

McCarthy said the housing authority’s application will be submitted in early June and that he expects the organization will know whether or not the project has been chosen by early fall.