Douglas Greene Helps Tennessee Rebuild After the Wildfires

Douglas Greene in Kodak, Tennessee, is the first affordable housing development to open after the region’s devastating wildfires that burned more than 17,000 acres and destroyed thousands of residential buildings in 2016.

Located near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Dollywood, the new property is in Sevier County, where many residents work in the tourism industry and require affordable housing options, a challenge exacerbated by the fire.

“This was about the need, the demand, and the local support,” says Tom Simons, senior vice president, development, at Woda Cooper Cos., the project developer.

To finance the $14.2 million development, the firm was awarded low-income housing tax credits from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency, which took steps to assist in the disaster recovery. In another move, the Industrial Development Board of the city of Sevierville approved a payment in lieu of taxes agreement, making Douglas Greene the first affordable housing development granted a PILOT in Sevierville and Sevier County, a critical financing piece.

To meet the needs of large families, the community features 16 two-bedroom and 64 three-bedroom units for households earning up to 50% and 60% of the area median income, with five apartments having features for residents with disabilities. Approximately 120 children live at the development. A community manager connects residents to a variety of services.

A local official says Douglas Greene sets the standard for affordable housing in the region.