ADC is well on its way to shattering its 2023 goal for AHIP.

Avondale Development Corporation’s main goal is to drive the revitalization of Avondale in a way that prevents gentrification. Keeping current residents in their homes is an essential element of that strategy because it helps maintain the social and cultural fabric of a community. When long-time residents are displaced, they often lose their sense of belonging and connection to the community, leading to a breakdown in social cohesion. Additionally, displacement can lead to the loss of local business and cultural institutions that are important to the community. Overall, it helps to maintain social and cultural ties, promotes economic diversity, and ensures that all residents have access to safe, affordable, and stable housing.

ADC’s Avondale Home Improvement Program (AHIP) is designed to support homeownership by sustaining existing homeowners and improving their housing conditions. AHIP provides forgivable loans of up to $20,000 to eligible homeowners in the targeted Avondale areas at Van Antwerp, Hale, Bogart, Alaska and Blair Avenue. The loans enable homeowners to make basic repairs and home improvements to maintain the quality of their home and create a positive effect in the surrounding  neighborhood. AHIP is funded by Fifth Third Bank.

The program is gaining favor among Avondale homeowners. At the end of May, not yet halfway through the year, ADC was at 70% of its 2023 AHIP goal. That means, if current trends hold, more than two dozen more Avondale homeowners will improve the chances of remaining residents – and enjoy the benefits of the neighborhood’s revitalization.