Private developer Rea Ventures, in partnership with Southface, is funding a Transformation Plan for the city of LaFayette, GA in hopes of developing approximately 60 units of housing for the underprivileged community. Following the Georgia Department of Community Affairs guidelines, the team is engaging the community and working with local officials and partners to develop a shared vision for the future of Lafayette. Having a plan in place prior to construction helps the community accommodate future growth while preserving what makes the neighborhood unique.
There is an undersupply of affordable housing in LaFayette, and the majority of the community is low-income. Specifically, West LaFayette was targeted because it is an area of the city that needs revitalization. This textile mill town still has great schools in the area, so mixed with some economic development, the goal is to bring in new residents while improving the lives of those who already live there. Expansions at a local plant manufacturing facility are also increasing the amount of persons willing to move into the neighborhood. It is expected that new developments added to the community will be EarthCraft certified. With average energy costs 28 percent lower than the typical new home, EarthCraft homes are cost effective, durable and comfortable as well as resource efficient. The saved costs on energy use in homes will especially benefit LaFayette residents with low income.
Southface has been interacting with residents of West LaFayette to understand the wants and needs of the community. At the most recent community meeting, Southface conducted a visual preference survey in which residents voted between two pictures representative of different aspects of community.
“In many small cities there has not been any substantial development in decades. Transformation Plans as envisioned by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs will help cities capture the revitalization initiative that workforce housing projects often bring,” shares Robert Reed, Director of Community Sustainability Services at Southface.
Southface relays information and results conducted at West LaFayette community meetings to the developers at Rae Ventures. The goal is to revitalize the neighborhood and make it walkable.
This is a developing story. Stayed tuned for updates as LaFayette residents, Rea Ventures and Southface continue to work together on this great project.
