During its regularly scheduled Tuesday meeting, the Birmingham City Council recognized Sickle Cell Awareness Month and approved an agreement to develop 31 new single-family homes, including affordable housing.
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin delivered a proclamation declaring September 2026 Sickle Cell Awareness Month in Birmingham. Woodfin said more than 100,000 people nationwide and 5,000 in Alabama have been diagnosed with sickle cell disease and that an estimated one in 11 Black children are born with the sickle cell trait.
“Sickle cell is the most common inherited blood disorder in our country,” Woodfin said. “So, I think today, we will like to bring about and continue to bring about awareness of this disease and its effects, as well as honor those who battle it every day and the men and women who support them.”
The designation was delivered in partnership with the council, the UAB Lifespan Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, Children’s of Alabama and the Sickle Cell Disease Foundation Central Alabama Chapter.
Dr. Jeffrey Lebensburger, co-director of the Lifespan Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center; Monica Mason, executive director of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Central Alabama; and Johnny Thornton and Adrienne Pickett, both parents of children with sickle cell disease, spoke before the council and thanked Woodfin and council members for the designation.
“Sickle cell disease is a red blood cell disorder. It evolved as a natural defense against malaria. But for those who inherit it today, it creates a lifetime in pain and organ damage,” Lebensburger said.
“The weight of living with a chronic, painful illness also takes a toll on mental health, and too many of our patients silently carry that burden as well,” he added. “Despite all of this, sickle cell remains significantly underfunded. Our patients simply want to be seen, heard and prioritized—the same as anyone living with a serious chronic illness. So, Mayor Woodfin and board members today, thank you for standing with our patients.”
“This proclamation is meaningful because awareness matters. It helps bring greater visibility to sickle cell disease, reduces stigma and reminds our community that those living with sickle cell disease deserve to be seen, heard, supported and empowered,” Mason said. “Throughout September, we’re encouraging our community to learn more about sickle cell disease, support those living with it and help us continue building a stronger network of care and support throughout central Alabama.”
Following Woodfin’s proclamation, the council received and unanimously approved an agreement to transfer property to Park Street Housing and Community Solutions Corporation for the development of 31 single-family homes.
The agreement transfers the lot at 507 Third St. North in Birmingham’s Fairfield neighborhood for the construction of 11 affordable single-family housing units and 20 additional single-family homes.
The affordable housing units will carry a restriction limiting them to households earning no more than 80 percent of the area median income, while the other single-family homes will be subject to a 120 percent AMI restriction.
The agreement will transfer the lot, formerly the site of Hill School, to Park Street for $1.
The council also agreed to provide Park Street with city assistance for the project totaling no more than $1,128,393. The city is authorized to provide a lump-sum payment of up to $633,393 and additional HOME Program funds for construction of the low-income units through a loan of up to $495,000.
The Budget and Finance Committee and the Community Development Committee previously voted to recommend the agreement.
The council also voted to accept the donation of a 2015 Ford Explorer to the Birmingham Equipment Management Department from the Birmingham Emergency Communication District.
The council delayed setting a date for a public hearing on an ordinance that would change zoning district boundaries for properties within the Southern District Framework Plan, which includes the Crestline, Crestwood and Red Mountain communities.
