Henry County officials, community leaders, and local partners gathered this morning for a groundbreaking ceremony in the Villa Heights neighborhood, marking the start of a transformative project to bring affordable housing to the area.
The initiative is the result of a collaborative effort between the Henry County Board of Supervisors, the Harvest Foundation, and the West Piedmont Planning District Commission (WPPDC). The partnership aims to construct 13 single-family homes on county-owned lots previously plagued by drug-related blight.
“This is more than just breaking ground on new homes—it’s about rebuilding hope and opportunity in Villa Heights,” said Joe Bryant, Vice-Chairman of the Henry County Board of Supervisors. “We are proud to work with dedicated partners who share our vision for strong, affordable neighborhoods.”
In October 2024, Henry County entered into an agreement with the Harvest Foundation and WPPDC to support affordable housing development. The County initially acquired the parcels after seizing them due to drug activity and later demolished the dilapidated structures, paving the way for new construction. During the October meeting, the County formally transferred the deed to the properties to the WPPDC, clearing the final hurdle for development to begin.
The Harvest Foundation is providing critical financial support, including covering the carrying cost of two homes at a time. Each home will be sold at cost—capped at $200,000—with proceeds from sales reinvested directly into the construction of future homes. Henry County will not profit from the project.
In April 2025, the Board awarded a $608,940 contract to Taylor Enterprise of Bassett, Virginia, to construct the first three homes on lots 9, 10, and 11.
Construction is set to begin immediately, with additional homes to follow in phases as funding from home sales becomes available. Once complete, the project will have brought 13 high-quality, affordable homes to Villa Heights—creating new opportunities for homeownership and community revitalization.
