By Taylor Boyd
A ribbon cutting was held to celebrate the completion of the first four newly built homes of the Villa Heights housing project on Tuesday, Dec. 16.
Henry County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jim Adams, of the Blackberry District, said the homes are part of a long-term effort to address drug blighted properties and replace them with safe, affordable, single family housing.
“This project reflects a clear goal of the Board of Supervisors to strengthen our existing neighborhoods while expanding workforce housing opportunities,” he said.
Adams noted housing is directly tied to economic development.
“When people have access to stable, affordable homes it supports local employers, helps families put down roots, and encourages reinvestment in our communities,” he said.
Adams said the four homes represent the first phase of a plan to bring 13 new homes to the area over time as funding becomes available.
Vice-chairman Joe Bryant, of the Collinsville District, said these homes represent real progress for Henry County and the Collinsville area.
“I grew up near Villa Heights, and I remember when this was a strong, stable neighborhood. Over the years it changed, and many of the properties here fell into disrepair. While we still have work ahead of us, these new homes are an important step. We’ve already seen a few homeowners begin improving their own properties, and that is a positive sign for what this neighborhood can become.”
Adams said the project is the result of a partnership between the Harvest Foundation, West Piedmont Planning District Commission (WPPDC), and Virginia Statewide Community Land Trust.
“This project would not have moved forward without the dedication of county staff across multiple departments who worked together to move these properties from acquisition and demolition through the construction and soon to be the sale phase,” he said.
The Harvest Foundation also presented a $385,000 check for the project.
DeWitt House, vice-president of community investments, said the funds will be a subsidy that is matched with a grant the WPPDC received from Virginia Housing “to get the cost of the homes down” and “also to provide startup funding for the West Piedmont Planning District to serve as the onsite contact for the Virginia Statewide Community Land Trust,” he said.
House said each home will be sold for $50,000 below market value.
“Basically, the Community Land Trust model keeps the homes as affordable. So, when they sell it, they can’t just go on the market and sell it, they have to sell it through the Community Land Trust and that establishes a base price that it can be sold for,” he said.
While the homeowner will get part of the proceeds, House said equity stays in the home, thereby ensuring it remains affordable.
A Collinsville-based real estate agency, Havenmore, will market the properties.
The homes were constructed by Taylor Enterprises.
Company owner Bobby Taylor said the four homes are approximately 1,200 square feet each and include two two-bedroom and two three-bedroom homes.
“We used all local people, we used all local vendors such as West Window Company, Lesters, Lowes, McKinney Heating & Air. Everybody was local,” he said.
Taylor anticipates the homes will sell quickly once they’re put on the market.
Once two or three of them are sold, he believes he’ll be contacted to start construction on the remaining nine homes, “because I can do them so fast and we do such quality work.”
