By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times
Dorothy Lipscomb moved into her renovated one-bedroom unit at Cooper Green Homes late last month and the first word that came to mind was “peace.”
“I absolutely love my new home. It feels so good — brand new, smelling fresh, and looking good,” Lipscomb said. “It’s the perfect size for me, and with all the new upgrades I feel a sense of peace.”
Stepping inside one of the newly renovated apartments at Cooper Green Homes on Wednesday, visitors at this week’s preview event got a firsthand look at the serenity of what modern, thoughtful investment in public housing can mean for families and the broader community.
The Housing Authority of the Birmingham District (HABD) announced completion of Phase I and Phase II of the complex, marking the halfway point of a sweeping effort to modernize the historic community on Birmingham’s southwest side.
“I think we can all agree that today’s milestone event is a true example of our mission in action,” said Antwon Harris, Director of Strategic Communications for HABD during Wednesday’s event. “We provide the highest standard of affordable housing, while fostering vibrant, inclusive communities and serving as a catalyst for opportunity.”
The $30 million project which began Jan. 28, 2025, is a partnership between HABD and Paces Preservation Partners aimed at introducing innovative improvements to affordable housing while preserving long-term affordability. The first two phases delivered 118 fully renovated units — 59 in Phase I and 59 in Phase II — with apartments ranging from one to five bedrooms.
Inside the upgraded units, residents will find new kitchens and bathrooms, updated cabinets and countertops, new appliances, improved lighting, upgraded flooring, and more reliable heating and cooling systems. Roofs, windows and key building systems were also repaired to improve safety and comfort.
Alexis Pierre, Vice President of Development for Soho Housing Partners, said the work represents more than physical upgrades.
“With the completion of phase one and phase two, it represents a major investment not only in the community but more importantly in the families that call it home,” Pierre said. “Over the past two and three years, we have been working with HABD to rehabilitate these homes in ways you can see and feel.”
Located in a community originally constructed in 1971, Cooper Green Homes includes 46 two-story buildings with 227 apartments, along with a community center, management office, daycare center with Head Start programming, and several playgrounds. All apartments are reserved for residents earning 60 percent of the area median household income or less, with HABD providing rental assistance to ensure affordability.
The preview also included an update on the next phase of the project and a walkthrough of the renovated units, giving community members a clear glimpse of the continued transformation underway at Cooper Green Homes.
Pierre added that future phases will bring significant exterior and community-wide enhancements, including new exterior lighting, upgraded walkways, enhanced playground and splash areas, pavilion spaces for families to gather, a dog park, and other shared amenities designed to foster connection.
Plans also include the construction of a protective concrete buffer wall between the Cooper Green property and the neighboring railway and fuel facility, further enhancing resident safety.
Larry Williams, Chief of Housing Programs, emphasized that the broader vision is about reshaping perceptions of public housing.
“The important part is for people to see how public housing can be,” Williams said. “We’re working to redevelop our properties and improve the quality of life. When you experience something new, you act. Your environment has everything to do with how you live and providing access to programming and opportunity matters.”
