Goldsboro, N.C .— A major affordable housing initiative is underway in Wayne and Lenoir counties, where a local nonprofit organization is currently building 103 homes. The effort is focused on expanding access to quality housing and fostering diverse communities across the region.

Most of the construction to date has taken place in Lenoir County, especially in Kinston and La Grange. While the organization hasn’t yet expanded into other towns like Pink Hill, it is actively searching for properties throughout Lenoir County to grow its reach.

In Wayne County, the majority of homes have been built in and around Goldsboro. “The vast majority of our homes are here in Goldsboro or at least have a Goldsboro address,” said a spokesperson. “But we’ve also built in Dudley, Mount Olive, Seven Springs, Pikeville, and Fremont—we’ve touched every part of the county.”

The location of each home is typically determined by land availability. Occasionally, families bring inherited property to the organization for evaluation. If the land is suitable—free of major concerns like flood zones—it can often be used for new construction. The group is also willing to consider land suggested by qualified applicants, provided it is buildable and feasible to acquire.

Every September, the organization begins accepting applications and outlines how many homes it plans to build and where. “This helps families know upfront if we’re building in their preferred area,” the spokesperson explained. “If a family wants to live in Fremont and we’re not building there this year, they’ll know that from the start.”

At the moment, all active construction efforts are centered in Lenoir County, where one house is near completion and another is underway in La Grange. Additional builds are planned for later this summer in Kinston.

In Wayne County, the organization is preparing to launch its most ambitious project yet: McNair Heights, a 24-acre mixed-income development off Harris Street in Goldsboro. Located near McNair Street and the First African Baptist Church, the site is already marked by cleared land and erosion control fencing.

Phase one of the McNair Heights project will include 31 homes, of which the nonprofit will build approximately 25. The remaining homes will be sold to private builders to help create a mixed-income neighborhood, blending affordable housing with traditionally financed homes.

“This is a big lift—nothing like we’ve ever done before,” Matthew Whittle said. “We’re excited. The community has been excited. The city awarded us $1.12 million in Community Development Block Grant funds for infrastructure, and we also received $500,000 from the Golden LEAF Foundation. We’ve also been setting aside money over the past few years to support this.”

Construction at McNair Heights will keep the organization busy for several years. As such, those applying in September for housing in Wayne County will be informed that this site will be the primary focus for the foreseeable future. Homeownership classes and informational sessions will be held throughout the summer to help guide interested families through the application process.