Birmingham housing authority completes $30 million Cooper Green Homes renovation

The Housing Authority of the Birmingham District and Paces Preservation Partners marked completion of a nearly $30 million overhaul of Cooper Green Homes in Birmingham on Oct. 14. The project upgraded 227 apartments and shared spaces at the 1971-built affordable housing community, a move aimed at preserving long-term low-income housing in the city.

Why it matters: - The renovation preserves a large affordable housing complex in Birmingham as demand for quality low-cost units remains high. - Cooper Green Homes now offers upgraded housing, site improvements and added amenities for residents earning 60% of area median household income or less. - The project also strengthens a 227-unit community that serves families, seniors and residents who rely on rental assistance to stay housed.

What happened: - The Housing Authority of the Birmingham District and Paces Preservation Partners celebrated the completion of the final phases of renovations at Cooper Green Homes on Oct. 14 in Birmingham. - City leaders, HABD, Paces Preservation Partners and residents gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. - The project was financed by Synovus Bank, United Bank, Bellwether and HABD. - The total cost was nearly $30 million.

The details: - Cooper Green Homes now includes 50 one-bedroom units, 77 two-bedroom units, 83 three-bedroom units, 12 four-bedroom units and five five-bedroom units. - The project averages about $132,000 in upgrades per unit. - Exterior work included new roofs, gutters, energy-efficient windows, siding, attic insulation and brick repairs. - Interior upgrades included new appliances, cabinets, countertops, plumbing, light fixtures, flooring, HVAC systems and water heaters. - Final-phase site work added a playground with shade covering and solar lighting, new water and dog parks, and a concrete buffer wall between the property and a neighboring railway and fuel facility. - The property sits on Birmingham’s southwest side and was built in 1971. - The community includes 46 two-story buildings, a community center, a management office, a day care center with Head Start programming and several playgrounds. - HABD provides rental assistance to keep the apartments affordable.

Between the lines: - The renovation goes beyond cosmetic repairs and focuses on long-term preservation, safety and livability. - The added buffer wall suggests the project also addressed environmental and site-adjacent concerns, not just the housing stock itself. - The mix of unit sizes points to a community designed for a range of household types, from single residents to larger families.

What's next: - HABD and its partners will continue using the project as part of a broader effort to preserve and modernize affordable housing in Birmingham. - The upgraded community is expected to remain a long-term resource for low-income residents. - Community leaders will likely point to Cooper Green Homes as a model for future preservation work across the city.

The bottom line: - Birmingham just kept a major affordable housing community in service by pairing public, nonprofit and private financing with a full-scale rehab.