Community Service Programs of West Alabama, Inc.

Street Address:
601 Black Bears Way
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401


Phone: 205-752-5429
Fax: 205-758-7229
Website: www.cspwal.com

Cynthia Burton, Executive Director

Contact Name: Cynthia Burton
Phone: 205-752-5429x231
Fax: 205-758-7229
Email: cburton@cspwal.com


Staff Size: Full Time: 232 

Background
Founded in 1967, Community Service Programs of West Alabama, Inc. (CSP) is a non-profit, community based organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for low-income and special needs populations in its service areas. CSP utilizes public and private resources to develop and administer various social service, education, affordable housing and economic development programs. The primary coverage area for CSP is Tuscaloosa and the following Black Belt/West Alabama counties: Bibb, Hale, Greene, Fayette, and Lamar.

Mission
CSP provides resources and services to low-income and vulnerable populations which resolve immediate needs and lead to long-term self-sufficiency.

Total Operating Expense (9/30/2007): $11,667,355

 Lines of Business
  • Asset and Property Management

  • Community Based Economic Development

  • Community Building and Organizing

  • Home Ownership Promotion Services

  • Lending and Loan Portfolio Management

  • Real Estate Development


    • National NeighborWorks ® Programs
  • NeighborWorks Multifamily Initiative
  • NeighborWorks Rural Initiative

    • Accomplishments in FY 2008
  • Provided 49 families with pre- and post- purchase housing counseling.
  • Rehabilitated or repaired 35 rental or owner occupied units (1-4 units).
  • Assisted 4 families in purchasing a home through homeownership counseling, downpayment, closing cost or financing assistance.
  • Owned or managed 431 rental units.
  • Invested $164,600 in the community through Community Service Programs of West Alabama, Inc.'s revolving loan fund, which leveraged $873,801 from conventional lenders and other sources.
  • Total direct investment in the community is $1,038,401.

    • Additional Accomplishments
    Date Additional Accomplishment
    1/17/2001 CSP developed 5 single-family homeownership homes in Fayette County in 1994. This project used FmHA Mutual Self-Help Housing Program.
    1/17/2001 CSP developed Eastside Apartments using Alabama Housing Finance Authority HOME Tax Credit program. The 44-unit one, two and three bedroom complex was built in 1999. First Commercial Bank (a local bank) and Bank of Tuscaloosa provided the $2.4 million construction loan.
    1/17/2001 CSP provided technical assistance to the City of Vernon and Mayor Rose Smith to apply for Alabama CDBG funds to renovate a school into a community center.
    1/17/2001 Senator Richard Shelby broke ground on CSP’s first affordable housing project and recently secured $500,000 Economic Development Initiative funds for the Alberta City Housing Initiative.
    1/17/2001 CSP receives funds from USDA each year to repair substandard housing in the two rural counties. These funds come from the Historic Preservation Grant program, which is very limited. CSP often combines these funds with other funding (weatherization and pre-weatherization funds) to make sure the homes are adequately rehabilitated.
    11/9/2005 1 single-family homeownership (19th Street) 1 single-family lease purchase home (Alberta
    11/9/2005 17,000 square foot Head Start Center in Eutaw, AL
    11/9/2005 2 single-family and one duplex (two units) rental for special needs families
    11/9/2005 20 major rehab under the HPG program
    11/9/2005 6 single-family lease/purchase homes (28th Street)
    5/1/2008 Developed three (3) lease/purchase homes.
    12/1/2008 Completed the construction of 33 single-family rental homes and one community building.

    Community Services
  • Community Building

  •  Business/Merchant Relationship

  •  Community Outreach and Organizing

  •  Community Planning

  •  Neighborhood / Resident Crime Watch

  •  Tenant Organizing

  • Family Health Programs

  •  Daycare Center

  •  Food Bank

  • Financial Planning and Assistance

  •  Down-payment Assistance

  •  Financial Education

  •  Foreclosure Prevention Training

  •  IDA Savings Program

  •  Reverse Mortgage

  • Green Building and Home Improvement

  •  Energy Conservation Programs

  •  Home Maintenance Training

  •  Home Safety and Security

  •  Lead Poison Prevention

  • Housing Programs and Home Ownership Counseling

  •  Home Ownership Counseling

  •  HomeBuyers Club

  •  Housing for Elderly

  •  Housing for Handicapped

  •  Housing for Homeless

  •  Housing for Veterans

  •  Rental Housing

  •  Section 8 Housing


    • Board of Directors
    NameBoard Role/TitleSectorCompany/OrganizationJob Title
    Gary BeardBoard MemberCounty GovernmentLamar County Commissioner 
    Lucy BowlesBoard MemberResidentSouth Lamar rescue Squad 
    Lynne CephusBoard MemberLocal GovernmentCity of Tuscaloosa 
    Edna ChambersBoard 2nd Vice PresidentCounty Government Greene County Commissioner
    Cherie CollinsBoard MemberNon-Profit Institution  
    Joann CraigheadBoard MemberResident  
    Roy DobbsBoard MemberLocal Government  
    Theron GardnerBoard MemberNon-Profit InstitutionHead Start Policy Council 
    JoMargaret GoodeBoard MemberResident  
    Finest MilesBoard MemberBusinessTimm-Tom Development 
    Commissioner Bobby MillerBoard PresidentNon-Profit Institution Commissioner
    Beverly NickersonBoard SecretaryResidentNorthport Citizenship League 
    Bobby SingletonBoard MemberState Government  
    Karen ThompsonBoard MemberNon-Profit Institution  
    Freddie Washington, Jr.Board MemberNon-Profit Institution  

    About the NeighborWorks ® Network
    The NeighborWorks® network is a nationwide network of more than 240 community development organizations working in nearly 4358 urban, suburban and rural communities across America. These organizations engage in revitalization strategies that strengthen communities and transform lives. In the last five years alone, NeighborWorks® organizations have generated more than $8.5 billion in reinvestment and helped more than 500,000 families of modest means purchase or improve their homes or secure safe, decent rental or mutual housing.

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