Ribbon cutting held for affordable housing community in New Hanover County
NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — After years in the making, Estrella Landing Apartments officially opened its doors in New Hanover County.
State and local leaders gathered Tuesday to celebrate the affordable housing community made possible through millions in subsidies from federal, state, and county sources.
Attendees included NC Representatives Deb Butler and Michael Lee, New Hanover County Commissioners Rob Zapple, Jonathan Barfield, and Chair Bill Rivenbark, Wilmington City Council Member Salette Andrews, and Mayor Bill Saffo.
Stephanie Norris, Manager of Terrior—the development company behind the project—said they hope to celebrate the partners that helped make the community happen.
“We would not be standing on this property as it is if people had not said yes and trusted that we knew what we were doing and we were going to do it,” Norris noted.
The largest private investor in the project is Live Oak Bank, which contributed $8.4 million.
Live Oak Attorney Greg Seward emphasized the importance of investing in affordable housing for the community and business interests.
“We really believe that affordable housing is critical to supporting the local economy, particularly supporting job development, education, and financial growth,” Seward explained.
More than 400 people applied for the 84 available apartments.
One of those applicants who secured a spot is John Lizzio, who said being able to move into a place he can finally afford is a dream come true.
“They told me that they were going to show me three apartments, and they showed me the first one and I said ‘I love it, you don’t have to show me the other two,'” Lizzio recalled.
Another resident—Marsha Barfield—is the mother of New Hanover County Commissioner Johnothan Barfield, who voted to fund the project years ago.
“To be able to get somewhere that you can afford and not end up broke the whole rest of the month, that in itself is a blessing,” Barfield said.
A blessing—Norris said—that should not go unnoticed.
“This is not about Terroir today, this is not about Stephanie Norris, or Joan Norris or Norco Management. This about the residents,” Norris said. “This is about all the people who supported us in this endeavor and said yes.”
