City of Wilson adopts dynamic housing investment plan

In December of 2022, the City of Wilson adopted a forward-thinking, robust, affordable housing plan. The Housing and Neighborhood Reinvestment Plan addresses, head-on, the issue that faces nearly every town across the United States: the housing needs are not met by the current housing supply.

From a COVID-19 slowed economy, stalled supply lines and increased inflation, a perfect storm can be blamed for housing difficulties throughout the country. And, while house prices in Wilson are still more affordable than those of neighboring areas in the Triangle, it is still very hard for teachers, firefighters and skilled workers to find affordable housing in locations that are convenient to work.

While these issues are seen nationwide, what makes Wilson different is their proactive approach and willingness to solve these issues. As stated in the plan, "Through a combination of national investment, a surge in outside private investment in housing and the community development in parts of Wilson, and active and engaged partners throughout the public and private housing spectrum, Wilson is in a position to make real improvements to housing and neighborhood reinvestment." (Housing and Neighborhood Reinvestment Plan)

The plan, though worked on for months, was introduced in September. The adoption of the plan in December has weaved a continued sense of optimism throughout the community.

Assistant City Manager Rodger Lentz said, "It’s an important step. It lays out things that the city, the private sector and our nonprofit partners can do to keep working in this area of affordable housing and it prioritizes investments for us… A lot of cities got American Rescue Plan dollars, our City Council has invested several million of those dollars into neighborhood revitalization and affordable housing. We’re very excited about the opportunity before us."

While affordable housing is a key element of the plan, it also outlines revitalization and support efforts that will ensure that leaders can continue to stay steps ahead, especially as businesses and individuals continue to flock to Wilson.

The priority needs, as outlined in the plan, include:

Much of the proposed work will be done in cooperation with several public and private entities and with the Wilson Housing Authority.

An example of how that cooperation works well is the recently opened Eatmon Townhomes. Representatives from the Housing Authority and the city joined congressional, state and local leaders in a ribbon cutting ceremony for the 32-unit complex on August 17, 2022.

The Eatmon Townhomes were a special venture as they replaced units that were severely damaged from Hurricanes Matthew and Florence. Built strategically outside the 100-year floodplain, these units allow residents who lost so much to stay within their community.

The replacement of lost units shows the diversity of planning that is being implemented. Leaders are looking at all possibilities and working to uncover the most efficient and cost-effective path forward. Sometimes that means replacing units that are deemed too expensive to repair, sometimes that means rebuilding or fixing foundations of houses in place, and sometimes that means creating new opportunities for housing, like Centro at Pine Nash. Centro will be in the heart of downtown Wilson and will have 240 units in a mixed-use building that will have commercial real estate on the ground floor. Several units will be designated as workforce units, affordable to people with medium-income jobs.

One of the biggest misconceptions about affordable housing is that it is associated with poverty. When really, it is more an issue of supply and demand. The question that plagues many communities is, ‘Does the current available supply meet the current demand in a way that some of our most vital residents, including teachers, manufacturing employees, firefighters, etc., can own their own homes?’ Leaders in Wilson are working hard to make that answer, ‘Yes.’

"I was in an economic development meeting with [leaders from] a potential industry coming to town and they asked about housing. They wanted to know if their workers would have places to live. So it’s important from an economic development standpoint," said Lentz.

As the plans move forward and optimism grows, it’s important to keep focus on what’s behind the complicated economic plans and feasibility studies. Because behind the ribbon cuttings are the families who now have a safe and stable place to call home. Within the units being constructed will be motivated individuals bringing knowledge and economic impact to their new hometown. And, upon the foundations being repaired, generational legacies are being cemented.

Structures are being constructed and repaired, but the real investment is the building of a community.