Welcome To Butler Metro Housing Authority
The Butler Metropolitan Housing Authority (BMHA) has been serving the citizens of Butler County for over 70 years by providing housing to low and moderate income persons. Our mission is to address the housing needs of society - discrimination free - and to increase access to affordable housing, support community development and offer economic opportunities within our communities.
What We Do
The Butler Metro Housing Authority (BMHA) provides more than just a place to live. We understand the challenges many families face today, and strive to put heart into the programs and services we offer. Our housing options and supportive services help families in financial strain ensure their children have the opportunity to go to a better school, or simply put a roof over an individual without a place to call home. Dedicated to the belief that providing basic shelter is only part of the equation, we also partner with other local organizations and groups to provide access to essential tools and training that fosters education, involvement and self-sufficiency.
Beacon Pointe (formerly Bambo Harris)
Beacon Pointe is an initiative designed to begin the transformation and revitalization of six city blocks of public housing, commonly known as the Bambo Harris and Riverside residential areas, on Front Street, Hamilton OH. Prior to 1940, this part of the city represented a significant residential and economic area of downtown Hamilton and was well integrated with the overall economic, social and residential core of the Hamilton downtown fabric.
In the 1940’s, a 141-unit public housing project known as the Bambo Harris Homes, was developed, but resulted in a Housing “Superblock” that ultimately created a sub-community inside the area – creating mental and physical barriers from the economic and social structure between public and private living. In 2007, BHMA demolished the homes on the Bambo Harris site to pave the way for future development.
Photo of area prior to demolition below;
A New Beginning
Beacon Pointe represents a new vision and life for the area. This multi-phase initiative hopes to replace the superblock mentality, revive and integrate this area into the rest of the community. The plan looks at strategies for sensitively adding housing to the site by working with the existing fabric of the neighborhood with a new park, improved views and greenspace – while restoring a sense of connection to the surrounding neighborhood and promoting a lively streetscape. To this end, the plan looks at cautiously remapping streets, introducing social services needed by the community, reexamining infrastructure, and improving the landscape strategy to foster social gathering and support a gradient between public and private space.
Phase I (if awarded by OHFA), will be a $9 million dollar investment that will create 60 new units with one, two, three and four bedroom living areas to support a variety of individuals, family structures and income levels. BHMA will work closely with the City of Hamilton and residents to ensure a smooth adoption of the development within the area. Phase I also includes the creation of a new park across from the Booker T Washington Center, where a tribute will be built in honor of Bambo Harris for his contribution to Butler County. The park, and the revitalization efforts of Beacon Pointe will result in a more appropriate tribute to this great man. Click here to read more about Bambo Harris.
The below illustration represents the new Beacon Pointe revitalization;
For more information on this project download the Beacon Pointe Program Ad.
Next Steps
BMHA and development partner Herman and Kittle have submitted an application to the Ohio Housing Finance Agency in March 2010 for Low Income Housing Tax Credits and hopes to receive the award in July 2010, after which construction could begin as early as Spring of 2010. BHMA will also be pursuing another round of funding in October 2011 and intends to search for other funding channels as well, to bring phases II thru IV to fruition.
A public meeting will be held May 24, 2010 at 7pm at the Booker T. Washington Center, 1140 South Street, Hamilton OH, where details of the plan will be discussed.