Affordable Housing?

Several nonprofit and for-profit groups are tackling the issue with innovative approaches. One of the newest to enter the field is Affordable Housing Solutions LLC, a partnership between Vince Whibbs Jr., Bob Chism and Tom Drysdale. The for-profit group is currently building several modular homes in the 1,120- to 1,600-square-foot range.

Chism says with construction costs soaring, it is difficult to build a conventional "stick-built" home in the $125,000-to-$150,000 range. And when new homes move significantly above that price range, people in the work force, such as law enforcement and fire personnel, and teachers find it difficult to afford a home. But Chism is convinced modular homes, which arrive complete with curtains, light fixtures, heat pumps, and plumbing, are the wave of the future, a cost-efficient way of offering affordable homes to the public.

CEI targets clients in the 80 percent, median-income range, and works through local banks to arrange conventional loans for home buyers, and assist them in applying for HHRP and SHIP grants. Horvath said CEI is not only doing small, scatter site homes, but ramping up its construction of rental units, many of which were destroyed by hurricanes Ivan and Dennis. While CEI and other nonprofits, such as Circle Inc., target the 80 percent, median-income range, Pensacola's Habitat For Humanity works with those far below 80 percent.