Housing Initiatives & Programs

A core focus of the work of the Main South CDC is the development, maintenance, and sustainability of quality affordable housing for residents in Main South.

A core focus of the work of the Main South CDC is the development, maintenance, and sustainability of quality affordable housing for residents in Main South. The Main South CDC transforms distressed neglected properties into long term affordable quality housing, which impacts the entire neighborhood for the better and improves quality of life for all residents. Our housing strategy is grounded in a commitment to equitable access to safe, quality and affordable homes for all residents in Main South. We work to transform distressed and neglected properties into quality housing through equitable and culturally responsive property management of rental housing, and providing long-term support for new low-moderate income homeowners embarking on home ownership. Access to stable, quality affordable housing is a stubborn challenge in Main South where 50% of Main South CDC tenants are at 30% of median household income. Families are doubling up or moving frequently as housing costs rise. This creates instability in the community and provides opportunity for absent and neglectful property owners to charge higher rents for lower quality housing. We continue to expand efforts to ensure Main South is a safe, stable affordable place to live. We understand this as an issue of social justice and racial equity.

The Main South CDC To date, the Main South CDC has developed 375 units of housing in the Main South neighborhood. Of these, 154 were abandoned and 97 were fire-damaged. With a development cost of $45 million, the Main South CDC’s developments have significantly transformed the long-neglected urban core of our city.