Development Spotlight | Alex Place, Livingston

November 01, 2017

Development Info: 

24 units, built in 1998
Serves: families, elderly, and disabled residents in Sumter County
AHFA funding sources: $565,000 in HOME funds (1998) | $122,982 in Housing Credits (1999)

Amenities/Tenant Services:

"I think Alex Place is special because this is not just a complex; I consider it to be an extension of my family," said Rosa H. Washington, property manager. "My motto is we are our brother's keeper and for the most part we try to look out for each other, especially our children. I have found that if you just give a child a few encouraging words, that can make a world of difference in the way they see themselves."

To maintain the bond between management and the residents and encourage a community atmosphere, Washington arranges a number of special events throughout the year, such as celebrations of major holidays, movie nights and luncheons.

Washington said Alex Place's biggest event is their Safety/Fun Day when the Fire Department, Sheriff's Department, and Police Department come out to celebrate with the residents.  The children enjoy getting to play on the fire truck and ambulance and playing with the lights and sirens on the police/sheriff cars.

Homework Club:

After noticing that many of the school-aged children of Alex Place lacked constructive after-school activities, Washington spearheaded an effort to create a homework club. "It has been a major blessing for our children," she said. Resident Shalanda Campbell does the majority of the tutoring, and Washington ensures the students have snacks and necessary supplies. "I found there was a need for the children, as well as  adults, to have access to a computer to complete homework assignments," she said. She explained the situation to Alex Beaver with Olympia Management, Alex Place's management company. Beaver reached out to Olympia's IT staff, who built the club a new computer from miscellaneous parts of discarded company equipment. The Alex Place Homework Club has been so successful that it has been expanded to include residents of neighboring apartment complexes.