Hawkins Pointe Weathers Hurricane Holdups  to Serve North Carolina Community

Not even a hurricane could stop the construction of Hawkins Pointe—a much-needed affordable housing community in Hendersonville, North Carolina.

In September 2024, Hawkins Pointe was mid-build when Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina, bringing a slew of challenges along with it. For weeks, the site had no power, and getting to and from the property was near impossible. There was also no on-site internet for months, making plan reviews, draw meetings, and construction reporting difficult, and hotels for contractors were scarce due to resident displacement.

To top things off, water and other key resources were in short supply—for the construction team and the surrounding community. 

“Our construction superintendent jumped into action immediately after the storm to help the neighborhood access needed items,” says Karen Bernick, director of corporate communications at Woda Cooper Cos. “He was eventually able to get to Hickory, North Carolina, to obtain water and other supplies and started routinely delivering it to the Hawkins Pointe neighborhood.” 

Woda Cooper Cos. also facilitated truckloads of shipments into the area, supplying residents with food, water, personal hygiene products, baby formula, and more. 

“I’m proud of our team’s response after flooding from Hurricane Helene caused so much hardship and upheaval in the Hendersonville area,” Bernick says. “Our construction team immediately turned its attention to helping others by bringing in water and other supplies for the neighborhood and community.”   

Through all this—and with just a 4.5-month delay—Hawkins Pointe was finally completed.  The $11.5 million development boasts 43 affordable housing units, a fitness center, a computer room, a gazebo, a lounge area, and a media room and is fully leased up—with a waiting list. 

“At our grand opening, a resident stated that living at Hawkins Pointe feels like ‘landing in heaven,’” Bernick says. “We are off to a great start. But the real proof means meeting our long-term goal-—to operate Hawkins Pointe so that we get similar responses 15 years in the future.”