What do football and housing have in common?

Offensive tackle Chris Samuels.

Samuels, a lineman with the Washington Redskins, revealed Tuesday his plan for building 100 new homes in the Selma area. In Selma City Council chambers, Samuels unveiled his vision of low-cost housing allowing people a better place to live.

Armsted W. Joyner, an engineer working with Samuels’ company &045;&045; CRS Development, LLC &045;&045; said he wanted safe, attractive housing across Alabama. He’s planning on examining a number of Alabama cities for opportunities.

Joyner wouldn’t release specific numbers Tuesday, but said about $6 million would be used in the project’s first stage. The homes are slated for those with low to moderate incomes and the elderly.

Joyner said he hoped groundbreaking would occur March 2004.

CRS Development will be in Selma for at least five years.

Through the housing project, CRS Development plans on creating integrated neighborhoods that are catalysts for investment and reinvestment. It wants the homes to have nice views and make use of green spaces, but also provide training opportunities.

That includes an on-site area students can go to after school and get help with homework.

Members of CRS Development have been quietly looking at Selma since July 2002. The company is currently planning its development on 20 acres, but hasn’t yet released where the land is located.

According to architect Major Sanders Jr., CRS Development wants to improve the quality of life and facilitate a better relationship between the elderly and children through its homes.

In response to a question from Selma City Councilman James Durry about CRS Development employing local people, Sanders said it was interesting that Samuels had chosen Selma to start.