It's a question that communities across the country face everyday: "How can we build more affordable housing?"
The town of Blacksburg, like communities nationwide, has been hit hard with cuts in federal funding to help build affordable housing. But town leaders say non profits have been working with Blacksburg to find ways to stretch the money they do have.
In North Blacksburg, the town plans to build eight rental units for older folks who don't have a lot of money.
Blacksburg is a different animal when it comes to real estate. Home prices have remained high. Same with rentals that cater to college students. Matt Hanratty who heads the Housing and Neighborhoods Services, says losing federal funding hurts the affordable housing effort. "They trickle down locally and that's the effect that ultimately the communities like Blacksburg and our surrounding neighbors reap. That's the deck of cards we're dealt with and we have to work within that."
By the middle and end of next year, town officials say several more affordable homes will be coming online in Blacksburg.
