The Kelsey Avondale Community Advisory Group
An image of people with and standing and putting large and colorful building blocks together.

Project Overview 

The Kelsey Avondale is an inclusive, affordable housing development located in Birmingham, Alabama’s vibrant Avondale neighborhood. A collaboration between The Kelsey and Gulf Coast Housing Partnership (GCHP), the community advances a disability-forward housing model that serves residents with and without disabilities, offering accessible design, affordability, and a community-centered approach.

Located at 4121 3rd Avenue South in the heart of Birmingham’s Avondale community, The Kelsey Avondale will represent a significant advancement in disability-inclusive housing in the city. This innovative community will provide critically needed homes for local residents from low to middle incomes, promoting a diverse and inclusive community. The Kelsey Avondale features universally designed, transit-oriented development with sustainable and resilient design elements that support the health and wellness of residents, reduce carbon footprint, and mitigate climate impact.

Community Advisory Group 

The success of The Kelsey Avondale relies on bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders who can directly impact the planning and design process. This includes advising on building design, future community programming, business, arts, and service partnerships, and neighborhood engagement.

The Community Advisory Group (CAG) will be guided by the principles of disability inclusion and racial equity, ensuring that The Kelsey Avondale addresses the legacies of racism and ableism in Birmingham and prioritizes the voices of future residents and current neighbors from the adjacent neighborhoods of Avondale and surrounding communities, particularly Black and Brown Birminghamians with disabilities. We hope that CAG members will not only advocate for The Kelsey Avondale but also champion more inclusive housing development at the local and state levels. Our goal is for the CAG to foster a more connected, inclusive community within and beyond The Kelsey Avondale, where we can support CAG members and celebrate their contributions to the community.

CAG Members Serve As:

Advisors: Providing feedback on building design, development process, programming, and operations

Connectors: Linking The Kelsey Avondale with key local partners, neighborhood leaders, community groups, and agencies to ensure a respectful integration into the community

Champions: Supporting this project with community partners, at local hearings, and other opportunities to advance more affordable, accessible, and inclusive housing

As a CAG member, you will:

  • Attend CAG meetings (approximately 2-4 times annually through 2026)
  • Provide your perspective on what a housing development in Avondale should include to make the community more inclusive

 

Join the Community Advisory Group

Do you want to see more disability-forward housing solutions in your community? Join the CAG! To become a member of the, please contact us. CAG members not representing/being paid by an organization can opt in to receive a $75 honorarium per CAG meeting.

Contact Us

Community Advisory Group Members

Christy Atkinson, WE Inc.

Ginny Bastar, Avondale Resident

Jana White, Passionate Parent/Avondale Resident

Jay Williams, Low Income Housing Coalition of Alabama (LIHCA)

Jennifer Harris, Alabama Arise

Katherine Morris, Avondale Resident

Kyle Mcgee, Lived Experience Representative

Latangela Bowden, AIDS AL

Mary White, Lived Experience Representative

Mary Roth, United Ability

Natalie Brasher, WE Inc.

Steve McGee, Passionate Parent

Susan Sellers, United Ability

Tom McEwen, Avondale Resident

Veronica McGee, Passionate Parent

Zac Wool, Lived Experience Representative