City of Warner Robins breaks ground on eight new townhomes aimed at boosting workforce housing

Today, the city broke ground on eight new townhomes on Airman Boulevard, thanks to a $1.5 million grant from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs' Community Home Investment Program (CHIP).

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The City of Warner Robins is working to increase home ownership among its local workforce.

Today, the city broke ground on eight new townhomes on Airman Boulevard, thanks to a $1.5 million grant from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs’ Community Home Investment Program (CHIP).

“This is the first project that the city of Warner Robins has been granted funds, direct funds, to go toward the building of anything,” said LaRhonda Patrick, Mayor of Warner Robins. “So, this is major.”

Patrick says it’s crucial to provide more paths to home ownership for low to moderate-income workers in the city, as they are the residents helping Warner Robins take flight.

The homes are being built by Deep South Construction Services, based in Bonaire, as part of the Build Local Middle Georgia campaign. Michael Ware, Owner of Deep South Construction Services, says it’s too often that construction companies are coming from out of the region or the state, buying supplies non-locally, and taking jobs from Middle Georgians.

“We ask that realtors point local, come local, bring the business back here locally so that we can support our families and support the community,” Ware said. 

Ware says he expects the homes to be completed by the end of this year. Mayor Patrick says the city will facilitate the process of determining who will purchase the homes and ensuring that they meet the qualifications. She says the most exciting part about the project is seeing families rewarded for hard work.

“So, individuals who are working, trying to make a better life for themselves, so they can not be stuck with paying rent for the rest of their lives,” Patrick said. “They can pay a mortgage and have something to pass on from generation to generation.” 

Those interested in applying for home ownership can contact the office of Kate Hogan, Community and Economic Development Director for the City of Warner Robins, at 478-293-1012.