Crestview partners with Gregg Chapel A.M.E. on affordable housing project near downtown

CRESTVIEW — Led by the Rev. Cecil Williams, Gregg Chapel A.M.E. Church of Fort Walton Beach front proposes developing at minimum 17 apartments for reduced- and reasonable-cash flow people near downtown Crestview.

The church, which was formed in 1951 and has vast experience in serving to needy people in the south aspect of Okaloosa County, was the lone bidder to respond to Crestview’s request for proposals for affordable housing development principles.

The Metropolis Council on Monday unanimously authorised a partnership with the church to deliver the proposed housing improvement that would be referred to as Winery Village.

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Town personnel will do the job with Williams on a proposed contract that will contain the precise terms of the partnership and appear back again afterwards to the council for its acceptance.

The web-site of the proposed flats is a vacant, 1-acre metropolis-owned property west of South Wilson Road and between West Bowers and West Industry avenues. Crestview bought the home early past 12 months and later on relocated tenants from various unsafe, run-down houses at the website before getting the constructions demolished.

Throughout his presentation at Monday’s meeting, Williams explained Winery Village will consist of at least a two-tale, 14-device constructing and a a person-story, 3-device creating and will have on-web page management. When nonetheless delivering ample parking, the overall development could have as a lot of as 20 flats, he and Town Manager Tim Bolduc claimed.

“We want to get the optimum number of models at the most very affordable costs,” Bolduc explained.

Williams stated just about every condominium would be about 960 sq. ft and will have two bedrooms and two loos. The two-tale creating will have an elevator and will have units for disabled individuals on the 1st ground, he mentioned.

Tale proceeds

“Our system is to function with the metropolis to retain the device monthly rent at an affordable rate (at or beneath) $900 per thirty day period,” Williams stated in the church’s proposal letter to the city. “We think this is achievable. We will pick out our developing contractor for this task dependent upon their considerations for people in need to have and keen to give back again.”

He also explained in the letter that the church’s administrative costs “are reduce than the common developer and we are not in the organization for revenue but strictly ministry.”

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The church will seek a grant as a result of the Condition Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) and other funding resources for the estimated $2 million Vineyard Village job, stated Williams, who wasn’t all set Monday to supply a design timeline.

Council members heartily supported Williams and the proposed residences.

“We need to have much more persons like you to aid deliver housing in our region,” Councilman Shannon Hayes stated. “I know you’re a gentleman of your word and if you say you can do it, I consider you can.”

Gregg Chapel A.M.E. Church is one particular of the greatest and most loving organizations in the spot, Councilman Joe Blocker reported.

“I really propose you,” he explained to Williams. “I want to see (Vineyard Village) get done in Crestview.”

The church’s considerable encounter in furnishing reduced-hire housing goes back again to 1989, when it purchased many plenty and a house on McGriff Road in Fort Walton Seashore, according to information and facts from Williams.

Two outdated military housing barracks afterwards were moved to McGriff Avenue and remodeled into 5 two-bed room flats, just about every of which at this time rents for $575 for each thirty day period. The household, which has 3 bedrooms and also underwent church-led renovations, is rented for $650 for each month.

Among other church-led housing initiatives more than the several years, Gregg Chapel in 2017 started the Nathaniel Smith Jr. House of Valor development on Nicholson Street in Fort Walton Beach.

This 6-device house opened in the summer of 2018 and supplies housing for previously homeless male veterans. Each device at present rents for $550 a thirty day period.

This write-up at first appeared on Northwest Florida Day by day News: Crestview, Gregg Chapel A.M.E. Church to build reduced-hire housing