In 2000, the City of Greensboro adopted a comprehensive redevelopment plan for the neighborhoods previously known as Morningside Homes and Lincoln Grove. As was the case for many of the neighborhoods in East Greensboro, these areas suffered from a lack of investment due to historic, discriminatory redlining practices. Leveraging significant investments through private/public partnerships, the redevelopment plan served as a catalyst to jump-start a brighter future for the newly renamed “Willow Oaks” community.

Neighborhood revitalization, housing equity, and building in partnership are critical components of Habitat Greensboro’s work. Therefore, from the beginning of the Willow Oaks redevelopment plan, Habitat Greensboro has been a proud participant in these efforts. From 2010 to 2013, Habitat Greensboro was built 13 homes in Willow Oaks.

In 2017, the City of Greensboro updated its Willow Oaks Neighborhood Plan, again offering area developers the opportunity to engage in the construction of affordable housing. Habitat Greensboro is excited to have been approved again as a developer and will be starting with six new homes this spring.

Working together, we can have a significant impact. Funding provided through the Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP) and additional incentives from the City of Greensboro will help defray the cost of lots, making construction more affordable. Future homeowners will benefit from a lower mortgage, thanks to the enhanced down-payment assistant program through the City of Greensboro.

The successful public/private partnership continues for Willow Oaks. We are also most grateful to our sponsors who will be funding these six builds – more about each of them as the builds begin.