Gainesville Housing Authority breaks ground on 3 new affordable housing units

Dec 18, 2024 1:45 pm
The GHA board breaks ground for the three-unit project.
The GHA board breaks ground for the three-unit project.
Photo by Glory Reitz

The Gainesville Housing Authority (GHA), partnered with its nonprofit instrumentality Gainesville Housing Development Management Corporation, broke ground on a new building project for three housing units—one main home, and two accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on Wednesday. 

“I am very, very proud, to not only be standing here today, but I am proud for every groundbreaking we have done thus far, every ribbon cutting we have done thus far, and all that’s to come,” Angela Tharpe, chairperson of the GHA board, said in a speech. 

GHA already owned a single-family home on the property, which it had been renting out. But when the city of Gainesville began changing its ordinances to allow ADUs by right, GHA’s CEO Pamela Davis said she and others got excited when they found out they could add two ADUs, if one is attached to the home and the other is a separate structure. 

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GHA board members and staff pose together in front of a truck on the three-unit site.
Photo by Glory Reitz GHA board members and staff pose together in front of a truck on the three-unit site.

To meet Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) limits for public housing that may receive capital funds, GHA is using three “Faircloth units” credited from other units it tore down in the Woodland Park neighborhood. The new units will be paid for from GHA’s capital funds and through the city’s Community Development Block Grants. 

Angela Tharpe, chairperson of the GHA board, said the team has exceeded all expectations in pursuit of the 500-unit goal.
Photo by Glory Reitz Angela Tharpe, chairperson of the GHA board, said the team has exceeded all expectations in pursuit of the 500-unit goal.

The main home will be a three-bedroom house, and each ADU will be a one-bedroom home, helping GHA reach a goal of 500 affordable housing units that seemed unreachable when the board first set it, according to Davis. Now, she said GHA is almost halfway there. 

“We know in our community, affordable housing, or workforce housing, is one of the biggest challenges we have,” Davis said in a speech. “Anytime the Gainesville Housing  
Authority can contribute to providing more units to this community, we are excited.” 

Davis said her own personal goal in Gainesville, as someone who grew up in public housing, is to redevelop and sustain long-term housing that is mostly about 45-50 years old now. 

The three new units will also be within the 1.5-mile radius of redevelopment funded by the $500,000 Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant from HUD, and one street over from a new jobs training center that is still under renovation. 

The new units are expected to be completed in May 2025. 

GHA’s CEO Pamela Davis said the team is 'laser focused' on its goals and objectives.
Photo by Glory Reitz GHA’s CEO Pamela Davis said the team is ‘laser focused’ on its goals and objectives.
The East Gainesville Project will last through late 2025. Photo by Glory Reitz
Photo by Glory Reitz The East Gainesville Project will last through late 2025.

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  • Glory Reitz

    Glory Reitz is a Mainstreet Daily News reporter based in Gainesville. She earned a degree in communication with an emphasis in journalism and has served as editor-in-chief for two college newspapers. Glory is a sucker for any good story but is especially distractible by anything pertaining to Africa or classic British literature. A big fan of long, long walks, Glory has yet to actually get lost in the woods—but that doesn’t mean she’ll stop trying.

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Annoyed

When Housed in a Housing Authority Apartment Unit and they pay part of your Monthly Rent according to your yearly income. Be Aware they have partial ownership and may enter resident at their Leisure. Best to house yourself and live month to month best you Can. Pay your own Monthly Rent without Assistance.

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