Mixed-Income Housing

Mixed-income housing helps attract more demographic and socio-economic diversity to a neighborhood. This is important because it can build the social capital necessary to improve economic mobility for lower-income residents and attract critical investments to the neighborhood such as new businesses, sources of fresh food, banks, and other amenities that are taken for granted in affluent neighborhoods.

Community Wellness

Healthy neighborhoods must include a community-specific mix of facilities, programs and services that represent the vision, needs and priorities of residents, as well as the history and character of the neighborhood.

Cradle-to-Career Education

Countless studies link early quality educational opportunities with long-term social development, academic proficiency, employment opportunities, and overall health outcomes. An effective educational pipeline that starts in early childhood and continues through college is imperative for successful community revitalization.

Neighborhood Leadership

A single-purpose, local non-profit lead organization is the most critical component of a successful revitalization initiative. This group engages personally with residents to be understanding and responsive to their needs and concerns, while also building effective partnerships with public and private stakeholders and investors that can help deliver the vision.

We use a proven model for holistic change and Empowering Community.

Initiatives are based on a people-first model that embraces the unique character and history of the neighborhood. Our work emphasizes empowerment, affordability, and equitable access to goods and services.
Neighborhood Leadership

We work closely with residents and small business owners, serving as an equity champion and advocate. We have many partners to help us get there, including the Tallahassee Housing Authority, Leon County Schools, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, Florida Blue, Community Foundation of North Florida, Envision Credit Union, and Whole Child Leon.

Most importantly, we are developing a Neighborhood Leadership Council, comprised of 15 Southside neighborhood associations located within 1.5 miles from South City, to ensure our progress is resident-owned and community-driven.

Mixed-Income Housing

The South City Foundation is working in partnership with the Tallahassee Housing Authority and Columbia Residential to redevelop the Orange Avenue Apartments, a central housing development in the heart of South City. This investment will create opportunities for high-quality, mixed income housing where all residents can thrive, and also serves as a catalyst for private development throughout the Southside.

Cradle-to-Career Education

The South City Foundation is establishing a seamless cradle-to-career education pipeline that ensures student growth, learning, and achievement at every level. This includes strategic partnerships with Hartsfield Elementary, Fairview Middle and Rickards High School – as well as early education (South City Early Learning Center) and trade educational opportunities. Our work would not be possible without the strong support from Leon County Schools and Whole Child Leon.

Community Wellness

The South City Foundation is facilitating on-going dialogue with all Southside health stakeholders to introduce community wellness programs, complete a community health assessment, and improve the infrastructure within South City to promote healthy living and productive lives. Our goal is to improve access to preventative health care and create neighborhoods where our families feel safe.

Accessible, high-quality housing is one of the most important factors in building a vibrant and resilient community. The South City Foundation is working to ensure that every South City resident has a safe and affordable place to call home.
Abena OjetayoDirector of Housing and Community Resiliency for the City of Tallahassee