In 2020, the housing nonprofit purchased a 1-acre lot between 21st and 22nd streets to build a community of 12 townhomes known as Shepherd’s Village. Shepherd’s Village is the first condominium neighborhood built by the HFHWC, Executive Director Debbie Hoffman said.
“For this development, we’re going to make it so that ... the land will be held by Habitat for the foreseeable future, if not forever, and that ... if the families want to sell and move elsewhere, those homes would be sold to other qualified families in need of affordable housing,” Hoffman said.
While the HFHWC builds affordable homes, Hoffman said that affordability gets lost once they are sold on the open market.
“It’s a little bit different for us, but it really does address the long-term need of affordable property here,” Hoffman said.Shepherd’s Village will include 10 two-story and two one-story homes with two to three bedrooms. All homes will come with a single car garage, fenced backyard and driveway.
The entire development is expected to take three to four years to complete and cost between $2.5 million-$3 million, said Nicole Vommaro, HFHWC director of development and marketing. In February, the HFHWC began fundraising to build three foundations for the first six homes with a goal of $200,000 by June 30. As of June 24, the group had raised about $165,500, with two $20,000 grants from Georgetown women’s philanthropic group Seeds of Strength and Texas Capital Bank, and around $125,000 in individual donations, Vommaro said.
“We’re very, very thankful for our donors and our supporters who’ve stepped up to this project,” Hoffman said. “We can’t do this without literal community.”
After Georgetown installs water and wastewater lines later this year, the HFHWC plans to begin the first six foundations in spring 2023. Licensed contractors will do engineering, electricity and plumbing work, while volunteers will help with the homes’ framing, painting and interior, Vommaro said.
In September, the HFHWC will host its first informational meeting for potential homeowners. Eligible households must make between 60%-80% of the area median income, have lived or worked in Williamson County for at least one year and be willing to complete 300-500 volunteer hours.
