| Located in Madison County, the city of Huntsville is one of Alabama's most affluent and fastest-growing areas in the state, resulting from growth due to high technology industries and space technology. Despite this apparent overall prosperity, one part of the region, Census Tract 12, presents a far different picture. More than 51 percent of the residents living in the Northwoods Development public housing community are low income. At least 81 percent of the area's population earns between $5,000 and $10,000 annually in a city where the 1998 estimated average household income was $48,391. Of the 884 families who live in this particular tract, 93 percent are African American, and one-third of these families are headed by single females who have children less than 18 years old. As a result, high unemployment rates, blight, and inadequate housing characterize the area for minority residents.
In its capacity as a long-standing educational institution serving Huntsville, J.F. Drake State Technical College will implement the Job's Place: A Life Change Center program to address economic development, employment, human services, and housing needs of local residents. This will be accomplished by: - Providing comprehensive training and employment services to 50-60 low-income persons between the ages of 18 and 45.
- Alleviating community blight by creating resources for improving and developing the local economy through business development.
- Preparing newly employed persons for homeownership.
Partners in this program will include the Huntsville Housing Authority, the Madison County Health Department, the North Alabama Center for Educational Excellency, the Northwoods Development public housing community, and Madison Mission, a local faith-based nonprofit organization.
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