Ross Joins Montgomery Housing Authority in National Check Presentation

President Quinton T. Ross, Jr. joined representatives from the Montgomery Housing Authority (MHA), MHA Chairman John F. Knight andyor Steven Reed in a special ceremony on January 7.

The event was held for MHA and the city of Montgomery to receive a $450,000 planning grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

According to the MHA news release, “This community award is designed to stimulate affordable housing and economic development in the neighborhoods of Paterson Court and the entire Centennial community.”

Paterson Court is located adjacent to ASU and the University rests in the heart of the Centennial community.

“Alabama State University (ASU) is proud of its longstanding partnership with the Montgomery Housing Authority," said Alabama State University President, Dr. Quinton T. Ross, Jr. "Our most recent community engagement initiative involved setting up a drive through/walk up location on our campus for residents of Patterson Court to receive free testing for COVID-19. By co-sponsoring this effort with ASU and the Alabama Department of Public Health, MHA demonstrated its commitment to the well-being of its residents and the surrounding community. HUD’s investment allows MHA to have an even greater impact on the lives and future of those who live in Patterson Court.”

The grant is one of 11 awards totaling $4,910,000 funded through HUD’s Choice Neighborhoods Initiative, which helps local leaders craft comprehensive, homegrown plans to revitalize and transform neighborhoods across the country. HUD’s Choice Neighborhoods Initiative promotes a comprehensive approach to transforming neighborhoods struggling to address the interconnected challenges of distressed housing, inadequate schools, poor health, high crime, and lack of capital. 

“The Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant is great news for the residents of Paterson Court and the surrounding community,” said MHA Chief Executive Officer Damon E. Duncan. “The award demonstrates the shared commitment of the MHA, Mayor Steven L. Reed, Alabama State University and other community stakeholders.”