The Department of Housing and Community Development withdrew a $600,000 Affordable Housing loan committed to a “wellness center” promoted by former Mayor Sheila Dixon after The Brew questioned whether the funds were being properly used.
The loan to Bethel Outreach Center, Inc. – drawn from the Affordable Housing Program approved by voters in 2018 to underwrite housing for low-income families – was set to be approved this morning by the Board of Estimates.
But it was withdrawn yesterday by HCD after this website asked how making the building – owned by Bethel A.M.E., Dixon’s church – ADA compliant and installing a front atrium with a skylight fit into the program’s requirements.
Out of 20 projects now in the pipeline for Affordable Housing money, only the Bethel center has no housing component, according to data provided by HCD.
