Gulf Coast Housing Partnership (GCHP) and Pearl Street Community Development Corporation (CDC) joined elected officials and development partners to celebrate the grand opening of The Pearl. The Pearl is a $28 million affordable housing and healthcare community with 76 affordable apartment homes for seniors aged 55 or older and an onsite community healthcare clinic managed by Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Center (JHCHC). It is located on the site of a former Holiday Inn and Jackson Southwest Hotel on Hwy 80 in Jackson.
“I want to first extend a heartfelt ‘Thank You’ to real estate developer Gulf Coast Housing Partnership, co-developer Pearl Street Community Development Corporation and UnitedHealthcare,” said Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba. “I am thrilled to see the completion of this state-of-the-art living facility for our senior citizens. This beautiful space represents our deep commitment to ensuring that our seniors have the best possible environment to live comfortably, safely, and with dignity. I want to extend my extreme gratitude to everyone who played a part in making this vision a reality—from the architects and builders to the healthcare professionals and staff who will provide care here. This facility is a true testament to what we can achieve when we come together with a shared purpose, and I am confident that it will greatly enrich the lives of all who call it home.”
The Pastor of Pearl Stret African American Methodist Church and Executive Director of Pearl Street CDC., Dr. Samuel H. Boyd said that the desire to create senior housing in Southwest Jackson first came to him as a vision in 2007. Seven years later, in 2014, the property on Hwy 80 was listed for sale and he saw this as an answer to his prayers.
“I thank God for the faithful members of Pearl Street Church, Pearl Street CDC, and the community leaders who helped us purchase this property,” said Dr. Boyd. “I know everyone thought we were crazy to buy a property in such disrepair, but I am grateful that our partner and developer, GCHP, believed in our vision. Thanks to our investors, we have created something far greater than I could have ever imagined.”
JHCHC will operate the onsite Federally Qualified Health Center that will serve both residents of The Pearl and the surrounding community. JHCHC is the largest provider of primary healthcare services to low-income, under-insured and uninsured individuals in Mississippi.
“Jackson Hinds Comprehensive Health Center is proud to operate the onsite Federally Qualified Health Center, providing vital services to both residents and the broader community,” said Dr. Jasmin O. Chapman, DDS, Chief Executive Officer. “This pilot project marks a major advancement in our commitment to comprehensive care. By offering occupational therapy, women’s health, and adult medicine, our goal is to bridge gaps in access and support better health outcomes for all.”
The Pearl is one of two pilot projects for developer GCHP’s Health + Housing concept. Health + Housing recognizes the significant role quality affordable housing and access to culturally competent health care has on an individual’s health outcomes. The healthcare delivery model is inspired by the learnings of Mississippi physician and visionary founder of the Jackson Medical Mall, Dr. Aaron Shirley.
Health + Housing utilizes investments provided by health care payors to help fund projects like The Pearl. In Jackson, Medicaid Coordinated Care Organization, UnitedHealthcare is supporting The Pearl with an investment of $3 million as part of its commitment to affordable housing and health care in Mississippi.
“This project is helping people live healthier lives by bringing essential resources to the communities we have the privilege to serve,” said J. Michael Parnell, chief executive officer of UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Mississippi. “We know the impact that factors like secure, affordable housing can have on overall health, and we are honored to be a part of this effort to bring new housing, healthcare and employment opportunities to Mississippians.”
In addition to the onsite community health clinic, The Pearl is also the first Fitwel-certified building in Mississippi. Fitwel is a building rating system created by the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention to guide building design. At the Pearl this includes the prominent placement of walkways and stairwells to encourage movement and improve the health of building occupants.
“Through our partnerships with health care providers we have grown to understand the importance that quality housing and access to health care have on an individual’s health outcomes, said Kathy Laborde, GCHP President & CEO. “Our next step is to collect and evaluate data which we expect will demonstrate to managed care organizations that routinely investing in affordable housing is valuable, not only for enhancing the lives of others but also for lowering healthcare costs.”
In August 2020, GCHP’s Health + Housing concept received national acclaim as one of six winning initiatives out of 900 submissions to receive $2.5 million in grant funding through the Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge, sponsored by Wells Fargo and Enterprise Community Partners.
Additional funding support for The Pearl is also being provided by the City of Jackson, Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, Federal Home Bank of Dallas, Hinds County Board of Supervisors, Mississippi Home Corporation, Mississippi Regional Housing Authority VI., Regions Bank and Trustmark Bank.