HENRY COUNTY, Va. (rbs news now) — County officials, housing partners and community members gathered Tuesday to celebrate the completion of the first four homes in the Villa Heights housing project.

The ceremony marked a key milestone in Henry County’s effort to redevelop formerly drug-blighted properties into affordable, workforce housing.

The event highlighted the progress on a plan to transform 13 parcels into single-family homes through a partnership involving the county, the West Piedmont Planning District Commission (WPPDC), the Harvest Foundation and the Virginia Statewide Community Land Trust.

The initiative began in 2024 after the county transferred parcels acquired through drug enforcement actions to the WPPDC for redevelopment.

Under the partnership, homes may be sold for as low as $150,000 to income-eligible buyers.

Construction of the initial homes followed the board of supervisors’ approval of a $608,940 contract in April 2025 to Taylor Enterprise of Bassett.

A fourth home was added shortly after construction began.

Proceeds from each sale will be reinvested to build additional homes as funding cycles allow, with nine more planned in future phases.

Havenmore Real Estate was selected to market and sell the homes on behalf of the WPPDC.

During the event, Havenmore’s Tiff Guilliams described one of the newly completed houses, a three-bedroom, two-bath home on the corner lot of Stultz Road and Dexter Street that is part of the first phase of the project.

“This home is just under 1,200 square feet,” Guilliams told rbs news now. “It’s brand-new construction with new floors, new windows, a new roof and all new appliances — it’s completely move-in ready.”

Guilliams said the project offers a rare opportunity for new construction at an attainable price point in the local market.

“If you were to have this custom built, this would be over $220,000 to $230,000,” he said. “To be able to get into these homes at this price is a really good opportunity for our community.”

The home is expected to be listed on Wednesday at around $182,000, according to Guilliams.

Prospective buyers may work through their own real estate agents or contact Havenmore directly for information about eligibility and the purchasing process at 276-788-7653.

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