On May 24, 1938, after being petitioned by the Citizens of Phenix City and a public hearing being held on the same date, the Board of Commissioners of the City of Phenix City, Alabama, in a regular meeting, declared the need for a Housing Authority. A resolution created The Housing Authority of the City of Phenix City, Alabama.

 

The organizational meeting of the newly created Housing Authority was held on June 2, 1938, in compliance with the Housing Authorities law of the State of Alabama.

Created to provide safe, decent, and sanitary housing for the community's low- and medium-income families. The first application for housing brought 422 units to Phenix City, 216 Riverview Court, and 206 for Frederick Douglass. In 1952, the Authority applied for and received an additional 250 units. 174 units were added to Riverview Court, and 76 additional units were added to Frederick Douglass. Today, Riverview Court Apartments has 306 units, and Frederick Douglass has 272.

 

In 1961, a new 200-unit project spread over 38 acres opened in South Phenix City, known as Lucien P. Stough Homes. In 1964, with the need for elderly housing becoming more apparent, a 40-unit elderly housing project known as H. L. Blake was opened. In September 1979, the Agency contracted for an additional 28 units for H. L. Blake. In 2008, Coweta Apartments were converted into public housing units and renamed Whispering Pines. In December of 2022, Phenix City Housing Authority Neighborhood and Development acquired Stonewood Apartments, adding an additional 50 elderly units. 

 

Today, the Agency owns and/or manages 6 developments: Riverview Court Apartments, Frederick Douglass Homes, L. P. Stough Homes, H. L. Blake Homes, Whispering Pines, and Stonewood Apartments totaling 815 units – 689 public housing units, 233 Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) units, 131 Project-based vouchers, and 789 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV).  The Agency currently employs approximately 35 employees.

 

Enoch Mathews was the Agency's first Executive Director serving from 1938-1942; followed by: Leo Denis from 1942-1966; J. A. Maddox from 1966-1977; Chuck Roberts from 1977-2004; Judy Hare from 2004- 2013; and Mary Mayrose from 2013-2020. Dr. Jason Whitehead is PCHA’s current Executive Director.

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