Historic Ashe Hospital

- Ashe County

- 46 Units

Overview

This development involves the rehabilitation of a historic hospital in the town of Jefferson providing affordable housing for the elderly and disabled.  The site is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  The hospital is to be completely renewed to include 19 senior apartments, a community meeting room with kitchen, craft room, computer room, library, and office space.  A new construction building behind the school echoing historic features and containing 27 additional dwelling units has been added.  Laundry facilities are in the historic building as well as space for tenant-supplied washers and dryers within each dwelling unit.  Wide hallways, tall ceilings, and large windows remind the visitor of great public spaces of the past.

Site

The three acre site includes community gardens, exterior courtyards, and lighted parking available for community use.  The property is conveniently located directly across from the Ashe County Health Department with proximity to shopping, pharmacy, and other goods and services.

Affordability

All units have available Section 8 voucher assistance from Northwestern Regional Housing Authority (NRHA), ensuring that residents pay no more than 30% of their adjusted family income for rent and utilities.  All residents will be offered financial literacy and health option supportive services.

Local Support

Historic Ashe Hospital has received official endorsement of the Ashe County Commission, the Jefferson Town Council, and the Board of Trustees of NRHA.  Financial support in the amount of $350,000 or more than $7,608 per dwelling unit has been contributed by NRHA and used for acquisition.

Mixed Finance

A significant majority of total development costs will be paid through private investment equity in exchange for housing and historic tax credits.  Government participation in project finance will be provided by the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati through its Member Bank - Bank of Tennessee - has committed an $880,000 direct subsidy to this much needed development initiative.