Workforce Homestead, Inc., an affordable housing development company, has received preliminary approval from the county for construction of an 84-unit affordable apartment complex on 8.78 acres at the corner of U.S. 70 and Warren Wilson College Road in Swannanoa. The project will be known as Jasper Apartments, and will feature 19 one-bedroom apartments, 50 two-bedroom apartments, and 15 three-bedroom apartments. According to Workforce Homestead’s Conditional Use Permit application, Jasper Apartments will target “a family population of households earning no more than 60% of the county’s median income.”

Workforce Homestead is still waiting for finalization of the project’s financing package, including approval from the NC Housing Finance Agency of its application for federal housing tax credits. Assuming that the tax credits are approved, construction is expected to start next spring, with units ready to rent approximately 14 months later.

Access to the property will be from Warren Wilson College Road. Rents are expected to range from approximately $285 to $1,180 per month, depending on the size of the apartment and income of the applicant. The plans for Jasper Apartments include landscaping, common areas, pedestrian paths and sidewalks, a playground, and a covered picnic area.

Jim Yamin, President of Workforce Homestead, said that Jasper Apartments will be a long-term investment in the Swannanoa community for his company. Yamin added that Workforce Homestead “takes pride in creating the best kind of life possible for residents,” and looks forward “to being a part of the community and a good neighbor.” Workforce Homestead operates state-wide, specializing exclusively in multi-family affordable rental housing. They will be starting construction in a few weeks on a 70-unit complex in Candler.

Jasper joins East Haven (see separate story in this issue) as the second affordable apartment complex planned for Swannanoa. East Haven is a project of Mountain Housing Opportunities.