REIMAGINING OUR FUTURE
SMITHFIELD – COLLEGE HILLS – GRAYMONT
Alabama’s First Choice Neighborhood!
Birmingham received Alabama’s first $50 million HUD Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant on July 26, 2023. Implementation continues through 2032 across Housing, People, and Neighborhood. The current plan protects 456 replacement homes, supports approximately 920 total homes, and coordinates more than 40 committed partners. Updated September 2026.
WHAT IS THE SMITHFIELD – COLLEGE HILLS – GRAYMONT INITIATIVE?
– A CHOICE COMMUNITY
HONORING THE PAST, ENVISIONING THE FUTURE
The Smithfield-College Hills-Graymont Choice Neighborhood initiative is a signature place-based approach that creates opportunities for residents, preserves affordable housing and rebuilds inclusive neighborhoods. The central focus point of this initiative is the Smithfield Court public housing community. The theme that runs throughout Choice Neighborhoods is social equity and economic mobility. HABD and the City are working with local, regional and federal partners to bring significant resources to the community.
This Initiative puts residents first and aligns partners and resources to invest in People/Education, Housing and Neighborhood.
Watch Summary Video Below!
HOW WILL IT IMPROVE LIFE FOR SMITHFIELD - COLLEGE HILL - GRAYMONT RESIDENTS?
HOUSING
New apartments that are climate resilient with community amenities and for sale homes integrated into the neighborhood
PEOPLE/EDUCATION
High-quality education, workforce training, living wage jobs, wellness and quality healthcare
NEIGHBORHOOD
Parks and safe community spaces, shops and job centers, multi-modal, high tech connectivity
Affordable Housing
Empowering People
Neighborhood Assets
WHO
HABD and the City of Birmingham were awarded a HUD Choice Neighborhood Implementation grant on July 26, 2023 in collaboration with Integral Development/Rule Enterprises, The Ascent Project, Birmingham City Schools, the University of Alabama, the United Way and other key stakeholders.
WHAT
Choice Neighborhoods is HUD’s signature program to rebuild neighborhoods,
preserve affordable housing and create better opportunities for residents. The Choice Team was awarded a $50M grant from HUD that will leverage over $900M in housing, people, education and community investments.
​
​
WHERE
The Choice Neighborhoods Initiative will rebuild the Smithfield Court public housing site with new mixed-income apartments. The Choice Neighborhood includes Smithfield- College Hills, and Graymont, bounded by north: Interstate 20:, east: 10th Street:, south: Graymont Avenue; west: Jasper Road.
​
HOW
Reimagining Smithfield Court and the Smithfield- College Hills, Graymont community, the Choice Team worked with residents and the community to develop a Revitalization Plan/ Choice Neighborhoods
application that serves as the guiding document for directing transformative change and investment to benefit existing residents.