Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 26, 1994                   TAG: 9401260075
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

RENTERS TO BE AT HOME OWNERS

The Blue Ridge Housing Development Corp. broke ground on a project that will provide both affordable homes and neighborhood revitalization in one segment of Roanoke.

Called Southeast Roanoke AT HOME, the project focuses on converting dilapidated houses into home ownership opportunities for people who have been shut out of the housing market financially.

The project will begin with five Southeast Roanoke houses the corporation acquired last summer. The cost of rehab work - including electrical and plumbing upgrades, roof repairs and interior floor work - is estimated at $32,000 per house. Homes are expected to sell for $40,000 to $45,000.

"One remarkable aspect of the program is to provide affordable home ownership at virtually the same monthly cost as rent," said Judi Huffman, acting executive director of the corporation. "Home ownership counseling will be provided to each buyer to ensure a successful transition from rentalship to ownership."

The corporation will identify potential home buyers, assist in arranging mortgage financing and possibly identify down-payment assistance.

With the availability of a city grant program that assists low-income home buyers, the amount of money needed to move into the rehabilitated houses "is virtually nil," said Stan Andrzejewski, president of the corporation's board of directors.

Construction on the first house - a two-story structure on Morehead Avenue, where a groundbreaking ceremony was held Tuesday - is scheduled to begin this week. The corporation hopes to acquire 12 more homes in Southeast Roanoke this year.

The project is the corporation's second. Two years ago, the corporation launched the 43-unit Single Room Occupancy project in Northwest Roanoke. Construction began two weeks ago.

Southeast Roanoke was selected for the corporation's latest project because of the lack of revitalization efforts in that area and the high number of homes in need of repair, Huffman said.

The program "sits right square in the goals set by the city," said Ted Edlich, executive director of Total Action Against Poverty.

"The city has identified affordable housing as one of its major goals," Edlich said. "This is home ownership. And there hasn't been a great deal of concern for people having these opportunities."

The Blue Ridge Housing Development Corp. was established in 1991 as the TAP Housing Corp. to address affordable housing. The non-profit organization has since been renamed to denote a more regional focus.

Those interested in the home ownership project should contact Michele Fleming at (703) 345-6781, ext. 355.