Blue Ridge Landing

Affordable Housing for Families in Tenneessee Expands Through Rehabilitation Project

Benton, part of Polk County, Tennessee, is a small town that sits at the Appalachian and Great Smoky mountains base. Polk County is also located near several major highways, offering convenient access to larger cities such as Chatanooga. Residents of Benton enjoy a quaint downtown area and the delicious home cooking that can be found on most corners. Although the town is considered rural, there has been an increase in both the total population as well as the number of households over the past several years, which is expected to continue. The two other low-income rental properties in the area have a combined occupancy rate of 98.5%, which indicates the need for additional affordable rental options.

Blue Ridge Landing is the rehabilitation of an existing property that was constructed more than 26 years ago and has consistently seen an occupancy rate of 90% or higher. The property consists of 48-units, spread between six two-story buildings, that are targeted to family households earning less than 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI) with 10 of the units reserved for those earning below 50% of the AMI. 32 of the units within the property are three-bedroom, with the remaining 16 units being one-bedroom apartments. Extensive repairs such as the installation of all-new roofing and siding, as well as new countertops and cabinets in the kitchen and bathroom areas, were included in the renovation of Blue Ridge Landing. The toilets, bathtubs, and kitchen appliances were also replaced with modern equipment to provide a safer and more energy-efficient home for the residents.