BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. — For the first time in around four years, the Foothills Community Development Corporation is building affordable homes in Blount County. This comes at a time when high prices are making it especially tough for people to think about buying a home.
The average family in Blount County makes about $40,000 dollars and homes cost around $350,000. This gap underscores the need for more homes that people can afford.
Bobby Eason, the Executive Director of Foothills, said building affordable homes is meant to help meet a clear need in the county.
"The affordable housing that they need isn't currently available on the market," he said.
Right now, their most recent home is in the first phase of construction. The non-profit hopes to have it completed by end of the summer and said it will have three bedrooms, as well as two and a half bathrooms.
Eason said low-cost homes are rare, and families may not be able to find other options.
"That's the worst part about the situation is there are no other options," he said.
This home will be the 107th affordable home built by the non-profit. Foothills is one of two organizations bringing more homes to the county. They work to help people who make around $12 per hour become homeowners, building houses on properties they can afford.
"Is becoming increasingly difficult for families to become homeowners," said Easo.
He said he believes the county is going through "growing pains." He said that more jobs and people arriving in the area are leading to fewer affordable homes in the market.
"There's a huge gap and that gap is growing," he said. "Between the cost of living and the wages."
This is only the first of many homes in the works. By the end of 2023, three homes are set to be built and by the end of 2024, seven homes will have an owner.