Karen Jacobson, Executive Director

1404 N Randolph Avenue
Elkins, WV 26241-9667

Incorporated: 2005

STRATEGIES & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Wilson Lane, begun in May 2006, will be the first development for Highland Community Builders. The group plans to build and market 30 single-family homes to low to moderate income families from Elkins and surrounding Randolph County.

The Housing Authority programming has evolved and diversified since its inception. Its programs and accomplishments include:

Both organizations must overcome serious obstacles to development: geography, and infrastructure. There are limited development opportunities due to the lack of buildable land outside the flood plain and the vast acreage held by federal and state agencies and private timber companies. Even when land is buildable it often lacks infrastructure like water and sewer. Adding these costs to housing costs makes it difficult to keep housing affordable for low-income families.

• Home repairs for 90 low-income families;
• Rent subsidies for 600 very low-income families;
• Rehabilitation and new construction of more than 80 single-family homes; and
• A Youthbuild program that has trained better than 200 young people.
• Its Community revitalization activities include:
  • A Montrose redevelopment;
  • A historic renovation in downtown Elkins;
  • A Community Technology Center; and
  • Securing grant funds for technical assistance and pass-through funding for small non-profits active in the region.