The development went into foreclosure and sat for years after the housing market crash, becoming a haven for squatters and vandals.

Mellin Parker, Housing Administrator for the city of Winston-Salem, said the new homes are meeting the needs for affordable housing in Forsyth County.

“They started out as 12 abandoned condos and an additional 56 units were built, so a total of 68 rental homes are at the Enclave and they are lovely two and three bedrooms. Some also have garages,” said Parker.

According to the N.C. Department of Commerce, the Winston-Salem Enclave is the largest rental project in the state to be completed under the Neighborhood Stabilization Program.

The $10-million project received $1.4 million in funding from the federal grant program. The goal is to rehabilitate abandoned and foreclosed properties, provide affordable housing for buyers and renters, and stimulate local real estate markets. 

Parker said a successful public-private partnership made the project a reality.

“It was a strong collaborative effort. It was a vision. It brought economic growth and created jobs, but in the long run, it allows people to feel safe and secure in their homes and for people to be proud of where they are living,” said Parker.

Partners in the project are the Winston-Salem Department of Community and Business Development, the Forsyth County Housing Department, the N.C. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the N.C. Housing Foundation, the N.C. Housing Finance Agency, RBC Capital Markets, CitiBank, Miller-Valentine Residential Development and Miller-Valentine Property Management.