COGIC, others partner on affordable housing development
The 77-unit affordable housing development that opened Friday is part of a commitment by the Church of God in Christ to Memphis, said Presiding Bishop Charles Blake Sr.
Creating the development was “a labor of love by so many people,” Blake said.
“I can’t help but pause to give glory to God,” Blake said. “By the grace of God our church has been able to truly demonstrate servant leadership to so many people in this community.”
The bishop, who leads the fourth largest Protestant group in the United States, spoke Friday at a celebration of the opening of Mason Homes on 4th.
The town homes are located adjacent to COGIC world headquarters and were created through a public-private partnership with the City of Memphis Division of Housing and Community Development.
“This project is not just about bricks and mortar,” said Saki Middleton, president of developer John Stanley, Inc. “It’s about providing housing to the most economically vulnerable families in the City of Memphis.”
Another event will be held in April 2019, after the homes are occupied.
The 30 buildings include two story town homes, 18 of which include three bedrooms. Amenities include a playground, a spacious recreation area, a computer classroom with eight Apple computers and a gym.
Most affordable housing units include low ceilings, only two bedrooms and about 500 to 600 square feet of space, said Lula Ballton, who has worked in community development and housing and is a member of COGIC. These units are about 960 square feet, with eight-foot ceilings and stainless steel appliances.
“Everybody has a porch or a patio and everybody has a parking space,” Ballton said.
The units will serve families whose annual household incomes are at or below 60 percent of the Shelby County area median income.
The $12 million development was partly funded by a $4 million loan from The City of Memphis Division of Housing Community Development. The Health, Educational and Housing Facility Board of the city issued tax-exempt revenue bonds and provided a 20-year PILOT.
The grand opening Friday was also a time for city officials to thank the COGIC for returning its Holy Convocation to Memphis in 2021. The convention was held in Memphis for more than 100 years, but moved to St. Louis in 2010.
Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland said the church made him “a very happy person” when they decided to return the conference to Memphis. The partnership on housing is indicative of the momentum that the city has, he said.
”Providing affordable housing to our families who need it is absolutely the right thing to do and we’re proud to be a partner in making that happen,” Strickland said.
COGIC members said the development was tied to their commitment to serve the people of Memphis.
Blake, the presiding bishop, cited two Bible verses, one when Jesus says, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head” and another that says, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
“(The development) will not only be affordable, but it will be a safe and secure community families can be extremely proud to call home,” Blake said.
Katherine Burgess covers county government and the suburbs. She can be reached at katherine.burgess@commercialappeal.com or followed on Twitter @kathsburgess.