Birmingham Department of Community Development
The Birmingham Department of Community Development is an administrative department of the City of Birmingham, responsible for developing and implementing policies that foster local problem-solving efforts and resilient communities. Specifically the department is structured to allow the city to qualify for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) "Community Development Block Grants", a program created in 1974 to replace direct funding to cities which was halted under Richard Nixon's administration the year before.
The Department of Community Development is also responsible for supporting public programs related to housing and community services, and works with other departments to support business development and other economic development priorities which affect communities. It supports grant applications by the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District, and other public authorities, manages grant-funded loan programs, and partners with numerous non-profits and community groups to carry out projects to benefit city residents, including the unhoused.
From its founding, the department worked with HUD officials and Operation New Birmingham to design and implement Birmingham's "Community Participation Program", which was adopted by the Birmingham City Council on October 15, 1974. The plan to empower citizens through neighborhood associations is a specific requirement for the block grants, and has been credited with empowering Black voters in Birmingham to accomplish their own political goals despite under-representation in county and state governments.
From 1975 to 1987 the Department published and distributed a newsletter called 'Cross Town, covering its activities, as well as issues discussed in the various neighborhood associations. The Department also printed and distributed individual neighborhood newsletters compiled by individual associations.
In 1978 the department hired urban designer Mike Dobbins to promote neighborhood-level environmental improvements. Under his guidance a number of "Revitalization Districts" were created, offering opportunities for public investment in beneficial development projects, while also allowing the Birmingham Design Review Committee to review proposals.
In 1985 the Department worked with Councilor Nina Miglionico to convene community leaders to discuss improvements to Vulcan Park following an unsuccessful proposal to construct a conference center at the site.
In 2003, under Mayor Bernard Kincaid, the Department established the Business, Enterprise, & Commercial Opportunities for Neighborhoods" (BEACON) program, and contracted with the non-profit Main Street Birmingham to secure and implement grant-funded projects across several neighborhood business districts.
In 2007 department staff coordinated the work of the Mayor's Commission to Prevent and End Chronic Homelessness and the consulting firm Training & Development Associates to compile "Birmingham's Plan to End Chronic Homelessness: 2007-2017".
The department supports the work of the Birmingham Land Bank Authority, established in 2014. It also hosts information sessions with private developers to generate proposals for the adaptive re-use of vacant structures and parcels across the city.
In 2024 the department coordinated implementation of HEART Birmingham to provide an alternative to police response to non-emergency calls involving the city's homeless population.
Community Resource Services
The department's Community Resource Services Division, led by deputy director Alice Williams, oversees the functioning of the Birmingham Citizen Participation Plan. It provides "Community Resource Representatives" to neighborhoods as liaisons to other administrative departments and City Council staff.
Directors
See also
- Birmingham Region Community Investment Cooperative District, a public authority created in 2020 to qualify for application for U.S. Treasury Department New Markets Tax Credits.
References
- Jones, Ashleigh (September 6, 2024) "Birmingham attracts developers to discuss adaptive reuse and revitalization of city land." Birmingham Business Journal