Building Foundations: Fuse Project Becomes a Community Housing Development Organization

For many people, Fuse Project is best known for its work in education - supporting students through academic programs, enrichment opportunities, summer learning, student incentive programs, community partnerships, and more. But as the organization has grown, so has our understanding of what it takes for children and families to thrive.

Student success is influenced by far more than what happens in the classroom. Safe, stable housing is one of the strongest predictors of long-term educational, health, and economic outcomes. At first glance, housing may seem far removed from after-school programs, literacy initiatives, or summer learning opportunities. In reality, they are deeply connected. When families have access to quality housing, children are more likely to attend school consistently, participate fully in educational and wellness opportunities, and experience the stability needed to reach their full potential.

That understanding has shaped Fuse Project's holistic approach to creating opportunity. Today, our work extends beyond education and wellness to include housing because we know children thrive when they are supported inside the classroom, outside the classroom, and at home.

That commitment recently reached an important milestone with Fuse Project becoming a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO), positioning the organization to play a greater role in developing housing solutions that strengthen families and communities.

A NEW CHAPTER: BECOMING A CHDO

But what does becoming a CHDO actually mean?

A Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) is a nonprofit that has demonstrated the capacity and commitment to develop affordable housing that responds to community needs. This designation allows organizations like Fuse Project to take a leadership role in housing development while ensuring projects remain rooted in the communities they are designed to serve.

For Fuse Project, becoming a CHDO represents far more than a designation. It reflects years of community investment, partnership building, and a growing recognition that creating opportunity requires addressing the interconnected challenges facing children and families. The designation also positions Fuse Project to play a larger role in developing housing solutions that strengthen families, neighborhoods, and long-term outcomes for future generations.

Today, that commitment is taking shape through two transformative housing developments: Hurtel Crossings and Anchor Place.

HURTEL CROSSINGS: EXPANDING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Hurtel Crossings is a 56-unit affordable housing development designed to expand access to quality housing for local families.

As a designated CHDO, Fuse Project is serving as the lead developer on the project, helping guide the development from vision to reality while ensuring community needs remain at the center of the process. The project has been awarded, design work has been completed, and construction is anticipated to begin before the end of the year.

Hurtel Crossings represents an important investment in Mobile families. By expanding access to affordable housing, the development will help create greater stability for residents while supporting stronger outcomes for children and families.

The project reflects Fuse Project's belief that housing should not simply provide shelter; it should provide a foundation for opportunity.

ANCHOR PLACE: A NEW APPROACH TO HOUSING

While Hurtel Crossings expands affordable housing opportunities, Anchor Place introduces a different model.

Located on Demetropolis Road in West Mobile, Anchor Place will become the area's first mixed-income workforce housing development. Unlike traditional affordable housing developments that operate under a single income-restricted model, Anchor Place is designed to bring together residents from a variety of income levels within the same community.

The development also received Mobile's first-ever Alabama Workforce Housing Tax Credit award, marking a significant milestone for both the project and the city's efforts to expand workforce housing opportunities. This historic investment reflects a growing commitment to providing housing solutions that help working families live closer to jobs, schools, and essential resources.

This innovative approach creates opportunities for greater economic diversity while expanding housing options for working families and individuals throughout the region. By moving beyond the traditional affordable housing model, Anchor Place reflects a growing understanding that strong communities are built when people from different backgrounds and income levels have the opportunity to live, work, and grow together.

As the project moves forward, Anchor Place has the potential to become a model for future housing developments across the Gulf Coast region.

BUILDING THROUGH PARTNERSHIP

Neither Hurtel Crossings nor Anchor Place would be possible without strong partnerships and a shared commitment to expanding opportunity for families across our community.

Creating quality housing is complex work that requires collaboration among nonprofit organizations, private developers, government agencies, financial institutions, community leaders, and countless others who share a vision for stronger neighborhoods and greater access to opportunity.

Through partnerships with organizations such as Hollyhand Development, Figures Construction & Development, the City of Mobile, the Alabama Housing Finance Authority, and other key stakeholders, Fuse Project is helping bring transformative housing projects to life while ensuring community needs remain at the center of the process.

These partnerships reflect the same philosophy that guides all of Fuse Project's work: meaningful change happens when organizations come together around a common purpose. Just as our education and wellness initiatives rely on collaboration with schools, businesses, volunteers, and community partners, our housing efforts are built on relationships that help turn vision into reality.

Together, we are creating more than housing developments. We are creating opportunities for families to build stability, strengthen their futures, and thrive.

LOOKING AHEAD

With Hurtel Crossings awarded and construction anticipated to begin before the end of the year and planning continuing for Anchor Place, Fuse Project is moving from vision to implementation.

While the two developments differ in approach, they share a common goal: expanding access to quality housing and helping build stronger foundations for future success.

Together with our work in education and wellness, these housing initiatives reflect Fuse Project's holistic approach to creating opportunity by addressing the interconnected factors that influence long-term success for children and families.

At Fuse Project, we believe every child deserves an opportunity to succeed, regardless of their ZIP code. Through our work inside the classroom, outside the classroom, and at home, we are working to help make that vision a reality.