Coming August 2026

Building hope.

Changing lives.

A place to dream, grow, and discover your purpose — the BHA Dream Center is reimagining public housing in Bessemer with a one-stop hub for learning, wellness, and belonging.

Dream.

Grow.

Belong.

Become.

Empowering Our Community

Programs and support for residents of all ages, right where they live.

Building Stronger Futures

Education, mentoring, and life skills that open real doors.

Faith. Purpose. Possibility.

A safe place to belong — and to become who you were made to be.

Together, We Can Build More

Be part of the movement. Be part of the dream.

Our Mission

We help Bessemer thrive — one family at a time.

Since 1960, The Housing Authority of the City of Bessemer has provided safe, decent, affordable housing for families across our community. The Dream Center is the next chapter — a focal point for healthy activity, education, and self-sufficiency accessible to every resident we serve.

1,148

Residents served

507

Section 8 units

13,487

Sq ft of hope

"Closing the gap between hopelessness and dreaming."

— The vision behind the Dream Center

Programming

One building. Endless possibility.

A state-of-the-art "One-Stop" service center designed around the real needs of our residents — health, learning, creativity, and play, all under one roof.

Sensory Room

In partnership with KultureCity — the first housing-authority sensory certification in the country. A calming space for individuals with autism, PTSD, OCD and sensory needs.

Commercial Kitchen

Sponsored by Spire Gas. Cooking classes with local chefs, nutritional workshops, and culinary job training for residents.

Auditorium & Gym

A basketball gym with 6 retractable goals, a walking track, and event space for performances, exercise, and community gatherings.

On-Site Office Space

Health, dental, and mental-health partners offering check-ups and consultations right here in the community.

Computer Lab

Coding classes and tutoring for all ages — closing the digital divide for our inner-city and rural neighbors.

Game Room & E-Sports Arena

Board games, card games, and competitive gaming that build confidence, communication, and social skills.

Digital Content Creator Space

Hands-on creation for kids of any age — cognitive skills, motor coordination, and creative collaboration.

Early Childhood & Parent-Child Lab

Birth-to-age-four programs and shared parent-child learning that strengthen family bonds and kindergarten readiness.

13,487

Square feet
The Dream Center

A three-story home for the community.

Located on the NE side of 1515 Fairfax Ave, the Dream Center brings essential services and educational tools to every BHA resident — a place built to bond a community together.

K4 Program Space

Gymnasium / Auditorium

E-Sports Arena

Office Space

Commercial Kitchen

Digital Content Creator Space

Computer Lab

Parent-Child Learning Lab

Blueprints

Three floors. One vision.

A 13,487 sq ft building purpose-built around the people it serves — every room mapped to a real need in our community.

Activity & Play

First Floor

Game room, e-sports arena, open activity space, basketball court, stage, and patio.

Educational & Administration

Second Floor

Commercial kitchen, computer room, offices, reception, and corridor commons.

Multipurpose & Creation

Third Floor

Digital content creator space, multi-purpose room, and parent-child learning lab.

Construction progress

Our Progress

Over 70% built. Now we need you.

Construction is well underway with a completion date of August 2026. To open the doors and fully program the Dream Center, BHA is seeking additional private contributions, grant funding, and public support.

Construction progress

70%

Funding raised

34%

Funding Snapshot

Overall Project Cost

$5,787,211

BHA Government Funding

$1,850,000

Private Contributions

$122,500

Still to be Raised

$3,814,711

Be part of the dream.

Your gift helps us deliver hope — the foundation of everything we do. Together we can finish what we've started and open the doors to a future our families deserve.