A local non-profit wants to increase the inventory of affordable housing in Livingston.
ADAM Home Solutions President Tom Stephens said the non-profit started several years ago to help low-income and moderate-income families in Overton County become homeowners. Stephens said building houses for families in need is the highlight of his life.
“We’ve had a situation where one was homeless and has worked their way through and own a home now,” Stephens said. “And to be able to see them move into a home and to be a homeowner and have their own yard and enjoy life, just, I don’t know if there’s a lot of greater blessings than that.
Livingston Housing Authority Executive Director Ken Mabery said the non-profit has built and rehabbed properties in the area of East 7th Street and Hi Tech Drive. Mabery said the non-profit has made a difference.
“For every house they build in this area, it just makes our neighborhood a more warm and attractive place to live in,” Mabery said. “And of course, the drive-through and everything, it’s really revitalized this whole neighborhood on this side of town.”
Mabery said high interest rates and increasing costs to build a house have made it difficult to find affordable housing in Livingston. Mabery said the non-profit has been able to build affordable housing without destroying the housing market for the private sector.
“That’s the last thing you want to do is have an appraiser for somebody that’s trying to sell their home, and look at neighborhood comps, and they come on an ADAM house that has sold, you know, pretty cheap,” Mabery said. “So they try to do that by keeping the price at market but offering down payment assistance.”
Mabery said the non-profit has recently opened an office on Church Street in Livingston. Mabery said the office will help the non-profit solicit for low-income families who are interested in turning their rent payment into a house payment. Mabery said the plan is to have a pipeline of low-income homebuyers in line before breaking ground on a new house.
Stephens said the non-profit also offers a housing rehab program that makes homes more accessible for those who are disabled. Stephens said the program is offered at a moderate price as the goal is to help people rather than making money.
