More affordable housing has been announced for Williamson County, making home ownership a reality for residents and workers in the City of Franklin.
The foundation has been laid out for the Village at West Main Street, a development of 30 one-bedroom condo units, on the busy street near the Franklin Housing Authority.
The Community Housing Partnership began the project three years ago. It has become a reality after a special ceremony with city and county leaders last week.
The project of its kind was a first for the city.
"It's tapping into a market that is just not here in Franklin at all. It's a way to prove affordable housing can be done, even in Williamson County," said CHP Director of Development Dylan Wyer.
The units were expected to start at $157,920 and be owner-occupied, meaning they cannot be used as rentals. The purchaser can obtain a mortgage and there are no subsidies.
As of September 2017, the median price for a condo in Williamson County was $251,820, up $182,500 in 2014, according to the Williamson County Association of Realtors.
All of the units have been sold over the span of eight months. They are about 545 square feet in size.
The community was geared towards helping teachers and firefighters.
It has also helped longtime Franklin residents like 67-year-old Willie Gentry. The Vietnam War veteran and Bronze Star Medal recipient had been living under the Franklin Housing Authority and has never called a place his own.
He saved enough money for a down payment in order to make his lifelong dream a reality.
"Well, I'm very happy about owning something. You can never be too old to follow your dream," said Gentry. "I want my family to be proud of me and I get to pass this to my grandchildren."
The Village At West Main Street should be completed by April 2018.
