A north Birmingham neighborhood now has 25 new available homes for purchase through the Accelerated Home Owner Program (AHOP).

The program is designated to create homeownership for people who want to live in the Fountain Heights neighborhood, through local community lenders, homebuilders, and the city’s Land Bank Authority. Their goal is to also help revitalize the area with this kind of opportunity.

According to a press release from the city of Birmingham, The Land Bank selected the Fountain Heights neighborhood for the pilot program because of its proximity to jobs, educational opportunities, healthcare, and government services. Community leaders also expressed a desire to increase the number of homeowners in their community.

Caroline Douglas, executive director of the Land Bank Authority, named South Point Bank, QS Construction, and LLCand PCA Group as partners in the AHOP program in a Facebook video.

“The Birmingham Land Bank is one of many organizations in our city that is already making strides in this work, and we are excited to join them,” Douglas said. “ In addition, applicants who are approved for a mortgage loan and are community heroes (teachers, police, and first responders), first-time homebuyers, or veterans may be eligible for a one-time grant for down payment and closing cost assistance up to $15,000.”

Land Bank Authority Chair Dr. Lonnie Hannon said that the organization has a lot of titles to land in Fountain Heights. “We’re also trying to add to all the redevelopment that’s going on in the city like in Norwood and Smithfield,” he said. “We created the AHOP program to help moderate-income residents increase their economic mobility.”

Mayor Randall Woodfin has previously campaigned and announced in his first 100 days in office that the city will have 2,500 new homes by 2025.