Greensboro affordable housing project advances, supportive housing project at standstill

GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) — Empty apartments in East Greensboro could get new life soon.

“We welcome a change. I would love to see somebody back there living. Right now, it is an eyesore,” said Jennifer Thompson, who lives nearby.

The property is on John Dimrey Drive just off of East Gate City Boulevard. Earlier this year, the City of Greensboro requested proposals to create affordable housing on the land.

Now, the city has five proposals on the table that will soon be passed off to the city council to make a decision.

The full plans are not available to the public. According to city staff, there are a variety of changes that might happen. Some of the changes include tearing all the buildings down to start fresh. Other changes would mean would mean renovating the buildings already there.

Some neighbors tell FOX8 that they don’t care what it is. They just want to see it change.

“I’m going to be hopeful that something good will turn out of it,” Thompson said.

For more than 20 years, Thompson has seen changes at the property.

“Seeing that eyesore down the street … I would love to see them fixed up,” Thompson said.

The city says change will happen.

“Quickly yet reasonably,” said Grant Duffield, from the city’s housing and neighborhood development department.

Duffield says out of the five proposals, three would include purchase options of townhomes or single-family homes, and two of the proposals would be rental options. All would be under the affordable housing category.

“We are actually working with a review committee now to take a look at the proposals themselves,” Duffield said.

The future space would have anywhere from 18 to 30 units, depending on the proposal selected.

“To see them do something like that … would be awesome, and I think it would really help the community,” Thompson said.

The developers in the running are from Greensboro and other areas in the state.

“One of the things that I was really appreciative of is all of the proposers made very firm commitments to include minority and women-owned businesses in the actual development of the proposal,” Duffield said.

This project is still on time and could be an example of how to add much-needed affordable housing in the city.

“There is tremendous need, so the success of this project process very well could lead to other initiatives … in the future,” Duffield said.

City staff plans to make a recommendation to the city council by the end of this month. Once the council signs off, construction could take a year or two depending on the project selected.

Another housing project in Greensboro is at a standstill. Two years ago, the city decided to turn the old Regency Inn building into permanent supportive housing.

Last year, the city partnered with Step Up to make it happen. Earlier this year, they cut ties with the organization, and no work has been done.

City leaders say there are no major updates to share yet, but they continue to discuss potential development paths with the current owner and hope to have details soon on a path forward.

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