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Florence Housing Authority was chartered by the State of Alabama in 1935. It has a long, rich history of accomplishments and service to the Florence Community. The Authority has a total of 664 public housing apartments, and a Housing Choice Voucher Existing Housing Program with 581 vouchers and certificates currently under contract. The first Executive Director, William F. Baker, was hired in 1950. Under his leadership, Cherry Hill Homes and Carver Homes were built. These housing communities contain 250 apartments. In 1955, Karl T. Tyree, Jr. was hired as Executive Director. The small office was located in the State National Bank Building from 1955 to 1963, then moved to the First Federal Building in Florence. Under Tyree's guidance, Handy Homes (50 units) was built in 1957; Carver Heights (150 units) was built in 1968; Magnolia Gardens I (100 units) was built in 1976; and Magnolia Gardens II (114 units) was built in 1982. Tyree retired in September of 1990. Shaler S. Roberts, III was hired as Deputy Director in June of 1989 and became Executive Director on October 1, 1990. In 1971, the Central Office was constructed in downtown Florence, and has had additions built in 1980, 1989 and 1998. During the period of the Urban Renewal Program, the Authority received in excess of $8,400,000 in Urban Renewal Assistance. The Authority cleared more than 30 acres for the addition of The University of North Alabama campus. In addition, in the early 1970's the entire downtown Florence area was renovated and revitalized with the assistance of the Authority and HUD. Florence Housing Authority is an important and necessary public agency. The Authority currently houses or provides assistance to 2,800 people, which is approximately 8% of the city's population. In the fiscal year 1996, Florence Housing Authority contributed directly $5,616,640.83 to the local economy. The Authority is 100% federally funded, but was established under state law. The Mayor of Florence appoints the five-member Board of Commissioners. Currently, the Authority has 28 employees divided equally between maintenance and administration. Many programs are offered and supported by the Authority for residents of all ages, such as the Northwest Alabama Community Health Clinic, West Way Child Development Center, Boys and Girls Clubs of Northwest Alabama, Senior Services Center at Handy Homes, Senior Food Program at Magnolia Gardens II, Summer Food Program and Public Transportation System. There has also been a concentrated effort to improve the Authority's apartments through annual modernization projects. The Authority has spent in excess of $4.6 million to upgrade its apartments and grounds over the last five years. This has included total rewiring of all apartments, new bathrooms, kitchens, interior and exterior doors, refrigerators and ranges, washer and dryer connections, and handicap accessibility. Finally, the Authority has been designated a "high-performing" housing authority by HUD for eleven consecutive years. This is the entire time the public housing management assessment program has been in operation. This program measures all areas of the Authority's operation from accounting to maintenance to resident services to vacancy rates. The Authority is fortunate to have a trained and dedicated staff and an involved and knowledgeable Board of Commissioners. Our mission statement is "Provide safe, well-maintained, decent and affordable housing and social services to low-income families, senior citizens and disabled persons in a fair, respectful, progressive and professional manner," and we strive to maintain this level of service every day. Top of Page