Masters Theses

Date of Award

6-1987

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Planning

Major Professor

Ken Kenney

Abstract

As the cost of homeownership continues to rise, housing affordability and availability remain key obstacles for low-to moderate-income rural Americans.

The need for additional homeownership opportunities for the rural people of Central Appalachia in this income bracket has attracted growing attention. Perhaps in no other region of the country is there more desire for homeownership but less opportunity.

Through field investigations, personal interviews, and a review of the literature this thesis examines the mechanisms by which two rural Central Appalachian communities, Clairfield and Jellico, Tennessee, have provided homeownership opportunities for some of their low-to moderate-income residents.

In the Clairfield area, residents organized a Community Land Trust (CLT), a relatively new concept in land development, wherein land is acquired by a trust organization and held for community use. The CLT retains title to the land, but leases the land for a fee.

Through grants and low interest loans the Woodland Community Land Trust in Roses Creek Hollow, Clairfield, Tennessee has built homes on trust property. Funds from the grants and loans are helping some low- to moderate-income families become homebuyers.

In Jellico, the first subdivision designed primarily for homeownership by persons of low or moderate-income is under development. Known as the Crouches Creek Subdivision, twenty-eight single-family homes will be constructed. This development was made possible by an Urban Development Action Grant (UDAG) from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

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