Renovations into more than 270 West Society Ave

(ALBANY, GA) – If you’ve been down West Society Avenue recently, you’ve certainly seen chain link fences and hard hat zone signs lining the sidewalks.

This is due to the City of Albany and the housing authority preparing more than 270 units for the Rental Assistance Demonstration.

“We are plagued with so many areas in this community with homes that you shouldn’t be living in. And with high utilities because the homes don’t have adequate insulation or appliances. And it’s amazing what this program has done,” says Ward 3 City Commissioner, B.J. Fletcher.

The RAD is renovating homes on west society as a means of making them more accessible to low income families.

When asked why they chose to start there, Commissioner Fletcher says that many of the homes across south and East Albany are considered dilapidated.

She says, “Not everybody can get out here and buy a home, or a lot of them want to downsize. And I would have no problems seeing these pop up all over.”

In addition to offering more options for tenants in the Housing Authority’s system, the RAD could also help to reduce crime in the area.

Fletcher tells us, “You could literally create a neighborhood watch right in the middle of these units. Everybody could step out their back door, walk a couple of blocks, and it’s your neighbors. That is the best thing in the world for a community.”

Homes on West Society Avenue are going to be ready for rent in 2021.