Wolf River Bluffs homes have begun!

The building has begun at the Wolf River Bluffs site at James Rd. and Mclean Blvd. in Frayser. The much anticipated development finally begins after a housing recession that delayed construction since 2007. The time has come!

The foundation of the first four homes started yesterday. Anne Meadors, United Housing's Housing Production Manager visits the site and finds progress, "Grading, dirt work, and framework has started and it's really exciting to see after so many years of planning," Anne says.

Phase one consists of 34 single-family homes, which will be built out in small increments of four and five homes. The first four homes will be for Shelby Residential and Vocational Services' (SRVS) customers. United Housing is thrilled to provide permanent housing to those that need it the most.

(From the top to the bottom: Anne Meadors poses with the frames in the background. The last two photos show the progress NBC Contractors has made so far on the grading and framing.)

Photos by Bianca Patel, Data Manager at UHI.

Green Building in Affordable Housing Efforts

Green Building in Affordable Housing Reaches Critical Mass

by WALKER WELLS

Seven years ago, Global Green USA developed a performance ranking system to compare states’ efforts to build sustainably-designed, healthy and energy efficient affordable housing. We recently completed our “Progress and Possibilities” report evaluating the 2012 Qualified Allocation Plans (QAPs), which guide the distribution of the Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program (LIHTC). LIHTC supports development of nearly 100,000 housing units annually for individuals and families living below median income levels.

The results of this year’s analysis clearly demonstrate that green building has become a fundamental element of many states’ affordable housing developments. In 15 states, the majority of funded housing projects pursue green building certification.

Recognizing the growth in the number of states that are using third party programs. United Housing is using MLGW's EcoBUILD certification and TVA's Generation Partners Solar program. 

Read the whole article on America's growing Green Building initiatives and how one company is helping to encourage the trend. 

Contract is Signed, Ready to Build!

United Housing has signed on with NBC Contractors to begin building the first four homes at Wolf River Bluffs. These "green homes" will house 12 Shelby Residential and Vocational Services clients with developmental disabilities. The construction timeline will remain the same, 36 months from start to completion of 34 lots.  

UHI is still planning to work with Tennessee Housing Development Agency’s (THDA) five levels of mortgage financing, which tailors loans to fit the buyer. THDA’s loan products run from 0% to 6% depending on the families’ income. We have strong partnerships with Crye-Leike Realtors, Memphis Area Association of Realtors, ERA Legacy Realty, Community Mortgage, Magna Bank and others to help us locate qualified buyers interested in purchasing. Our homebuyer education classes and down payment assistance also give us the opportunity to help families become sustainable, qualified homebuyers.  

The first picture is site plans for lots #33 and #34. 

Below, Construction Manager Mike Brunk looks over the contract with Housing Production Manager, Anne Meadors and Executive Director Tim Bolding. The plans will become reality this holiday season!