Affordable, modern homes going up in Bristol
BRISTOL, Tenn. – For Johnson City developer Ernest Campbell, the housing community he’s building on Brown Avenue represents a chance to produce affordable, modern homes in Bristol.
For Milligan College, adding its nonprofit status to Campbell’s project – so the work could receive federal financing – represents a chance to carry out its Christian goal of helping others.
But for the low- to moderate-income elderly residents who will soon move into the community’s 20 units, the Ridge View Apartments represent something else: a chance to live in high-quality properties they never expected to be within reach.
“It’s a way to assist people who would have difficulty paying the market-rate rent for homes like these,” Milligan College President Donald Jeanes said. “It also fits our mission to provide compassion and help. It’s something that can enrich the whole area.”
While not quite finished, the housing complex already is a striking addition to the neighborhood, behind the Kmart store on Kmart Drive.
The one-bedroom units all provide full accessibility for the handicapped, top-line appliances, security networks and energy-friendly heating systems – with a community room and social lounge also available. One unit will be specifically designed for a resident with a visual or hearing impairment.
“There’s a tremendous need in most areas for this kind of housing, and particularly in Bristol,” Campbell said. “It’s going to allow elderly residents to be in a community where it’s easy for everyone to look out for each other, but still have independent living arrangements.”
Campbell said he expects work to finish Nov. 15, with residents moving in by Thanksgiving weekend.
Because of Milligan College’s involvement, the federal government classifies the Ridge View Apartments as a nonprofit venture, making it eligible for funding by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. And, because of that, rents in the 20 units will be strictly controlled, with utilities provided free.
“This certainly isn’t about the college doing something to make money,” Jeanes said. “It is something we can do to make a difference.”
The housing community will be managed by M&M Properties, based in Johnson City.
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Reader Reactions
modern meaning engery effiecient and built to a srandard not some builder claims of quailty that often meant the best built with the crap we used to build it.
musherl
I highly agree! My daughter and her three children are now residing with us (that’s 3 adults and three kids in a 2 bedroom house) because she lost her job and her no good ex ran out on child support. The waiting lists for HUD are 3 years long and you have to be TOTALLY homeless and living in your car to get moved up on the list. The other programs are out of money. (the big auto industry, etc has billions tho).
As long as she is with me she is not homeless even tho she is in a different county and it has worse unemployment rates than the one she was in.
I know there are others living on the streets- so yes, she and the kids at least have a home. Child Support Enforcement people have jobs, .....even tho they take their sweet time doing it!
When did modern become a necessity? There are people with NO home, why are we building better homes for the ones already with homes? Just wondering.
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