The owners of Blacksburg Estates manufactured housing community (MHC) in Virginia are reformatting their plan to move 20 manufactured homes to the other side of the 33.5 acre community after residents and others protested the rezoning request to develop most of the community. Owners Frank Bruno and Don Carter wanted to build 171 townhouses and 59 single-family homes on the cleared area.

The continued growth of Virginia Tech has pushed rentals and home prices ever higher, reducing affordable housing, according to roanokenow.

Their current plan is to move the manufactured homes to a more desirable area, and using federal tax credits, build a series of one, two and three-bedroom houses for those making 20, 30 and 40 percent lower than the median income, as well as for seniors. Administered by the Virginia Housing Development Authority, federal tax credits require the company to keep rents at levels in accord with affordable-housing calculations for 30 years.

The owners will pay for relocation of the manufactured homes, and new ones will be provided for rent to residents of those whose homes cannot be moved. William Park, of Pinnacle Construction and Development, told Blacksburg Town Council members, “We can’t kick people out and say we’re building affordable housing.”

The first phase will be targeted to seniors, as MHProNews  has learned. The owners will submit a formal proposal and rezoning request within two weeks. ##

(Photo credit: gfomesandland.com–manufactured home)

(Submitted by Matthew J. Silver to the Daily Business News-MHProNews)