Our Journey of Revitalizing Communities and Expanding Opportunity

Since February 11, 1980, Navigate Affordable Housing Partners has been a cornerstone of progress in affordable housing.

Navigate has gone through an evolution of affordable housing. From our humble beginnings in 1980 as the Jefferson County Assisted Housing Corporation, focused on creating housing for the elderly and disabled in Tarrant, Alabama, we’ve grown into a multifaceted organization with a mission to revitalize communities, empower people, and strengthen the affordable housing industry.

Our evolution over the decades reflects a steadfast commitment to meeting the changing needs of communities across Alabama, Mississippi, Connecticut, and Virginia. As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we reflect on our roots, recognize our achievements, and look forward to the future of affordable housing and community development.

Building the Foundation

Navigate’s journey began with a simple yet profound goal: to provide safe, quality housing for those who needed it most. Our first offices were housed in trailers. From those buildings, we worked to complete the first 100 units at Spring Gardens in 1982. This first construction project laid the groundwork for what would become a long legacy of innovation and impact. Over the years, Spring Gardens expanded to include 244 units, becoming a hallmark of affordable housing in Alabama, with later phases financed through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program and HOME funds.

Even as we expanded, we stayed true to our original mission of delivering not just housing but community. The recent addition of a $3 million state-of-the-art community center at Spring Gardens is a testament to this vision, offering residents access to critical social and community services that improve quality of life.

Expanding Our Reach and Impact

In 2000, under the leadership of then-CEO Eric Strong, Navigate took a significant step forward by becoming a Performance-Based Contract Administrator (PBCA). We began overseeing Section 8 contracts for approximately 60,000 units of affordable housing across four states. This role amplified our impact, allowing us to serve needy families while ensuring property owners and agents meet HUD’s high standards.

But our work didn’t stop there. Navigate became a trailblazer as the first public entity to partner with HUD’s Office of Multifamily Housing Assistance Restructuring, preserving 2,500 affordable housing units in Alabama. These efforts reflect our dual focus on sustaining existing housing stock and championing innovation in the housing industry.

Returning to Our Roots: Navigate Asset Management

Navigate Asset Management represents a full-circle moment in our history. Through this division, we return to our origins of owning and managing housing in the Birmingham Metropolitan area, ensuring quality and long-term affordability. We develop, acquire, and maintain properties that serve as vital resources for individuals and families, blending our deep expertise in property management with a forward-thinking approach to sustainable housing solutions.

This work directly connects to our vision of being an instrument of change, preserving affordable housing, and contributing to the vitality of communities.

Evolving to Community Development

Over the years, we’ve broadened our focus from housing alone to holistic community development in Birmingham’s historic North Titusville neighborhood. At Navigate Communities, we believe housing is only the beginning. Revitalized communities require robust infrastructure, economic opportunities, and programs that empower residents.

We’ve added ten new homes to North Titusville in the last two years. Six of the homes include energy-efficient features and structurally-insulated panel construction. Another three are smart modular. The remaining home is a traditional stick build. All of them are quality-built and designed to fit in to community fabric.

Our Navigate Gives Back initiative exemplifies this approach. Through this program, we provide grants to nonprofits addressing housing, education, and critical needs in underserved areas. From supporting youth mentorship programs to funding home repairs for low-income families, Navigate Gives Back extends our mission beyond housing to foster lasting community impact.

We’re taking a hands-on approach to revitalization. It’s essential to the evolution of affordable housing within the industry. With projects like the Fortis homes—a model for sustainable, attainable housing—we’re developing innovative solutions to address the affordable housing crisis while uplifting entire communities.

As we celebrate 45 years of progress, we remain committed to solving today’s challenges while preparing for tomorrow’s needs. Navigate will continue to innovate, collaborate, and invest in communities, leveraging our experience to create sustainable housing solutions that transform lives.

We invite you to join us on this journey. Whether as a partner, supporter, or community member, your involvement helps us amplify our impact as we look ahead to the next 45 years. Together, we can build stronger communities, expand opportunities, and ensure everyone has access to safe, affordable housing.

Stay tuned for more stories about our history, our current initiatives, and the exciting future we’re building together. Follow our 45th-anniversary celebration across social media, and learn more about how you can get involved.

Looking to the Future

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