FLORENCE-On Wednesday, June 17 Mayor Steve Holt along with the Florence housing Authority Director Rhonda Richardson announced a total makeover of Cherry Hill Homes. These apartments were first built in 1952 and Director Richardson says now is the time for something new. The first phase of the three part renewal starts with demolition which is set to begin in July with completion of the project in the next three to five years. All of this made possible by HUD’s RAD (Rental Assistance Demonstration) program developed to help cities revitalize their public housing properties.
Not only will there be a new look and feel to the property but there will be a name change as well…Cherry Hill Homes will now be known as Sweetwater Ridge. This project is estimated to cost through completion $30 million.
Here is what the Florence Housing Authority Director Rhonda Richardson had to say:
“Thank you to Mayor Holt, the Florence Housing Authority Board – Coy Johnson, Robert Redd, Rusty Carbine, Joyce Malone, Jeffrey Jones and Thomas Foster, City of Florence Department Heads, Council members, press, developer – Judy Van Dyke of Vizion Driven Communities and architect – Calvin Durham of Lambert Ezell Durham.
Welcome to Phase I of Cherry Hill Homes transitioning to Sweetwater Ridge apartment complex. There will be three (3) phases for this property over three to 5 years with a total of 178 new units. The projected cost/budget for all three phases will be approximately $30,000,000.
Cherry Hill Homes, built in 1952, was the first public housing property in the City of Florence. It is now the last public housing property in the City of Florence. The HUD Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program conversion allowed the Housing Authority to receive the deeds of trust of HUD-owned properties. With Florence Housing Authority receiving clear ownership, it gave us the opportunity to apply for tax credits and other financing to rebuild and/or renovate properties.
Florence Housing Authority converted the 172 units of Cherry Hill Homes on November 1, 2018 to Project Based Rental Assistance Multifamily Housing and received 9% tax credits totaling $10,360,000.
The first phase will replace 54 units with 56 units. Fifteen (15) buildings will be demolished and replaced with seven (7) two-story residential buildings and one (1) management office/community building. The community building will have a computer center, fitness center and laundry facility. The property will have a covered bus shelter and picnic area with gazebo. The entrance to the property will be updated with landscaping and new signage.
With Phase I we have ten remaining residents that will be relocated. The residents that are being relocated have the right to return once the new apartments are complete. Florence Housing Authority is paying the relocation costs.
Demolition start date approximately July 15, 2020.”
Magnolia Gardens converted 214 units on July 1, 2015. Received 9% tax credits totaling $13,000,000.
Carver Homes converted 75 units on December 1, 2017.
Handy Homes (W. C. Handy Place) and Carver Heights (Cypress Pointe) known as FHA Communities, Ltd converted 199 units on December 1, 2017. Received 4% tax credits totaling $12,529,000.
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