Housing for the Working Middle Class
Historic Overview
When Lillie and I started 4 Forty Four in 2002 our intent was to provide construction services for our community as needs and opportunities presented themselves. Much like a local auto mechanic holistically serves their community. It doesn't matter if you have a Ford or a Cadillac or if your car is 3 years old or 10 years old. If you are in need of a service, new tires or brakes the mechanic is happy to help and serve.
For over 23 years we have modeled this approach. We have remodeled kitchens for school teachers, completed bedroom additions for growing families, retrofitted bathrooms for safety and access for the elderly, renovated churches, expanded restaurants, built businesses, offices and new homes for year round police officers and second homes for surgeons that live and work in other parts of the country. Each project is special and an honor to be a part of bringing our client's dream into reality.
We hold two important questions in our minds and hearts when considering a potential project:
- First, is this scope of work something we feel confident performing?
- Second, do we feel we can have a mutually beneficial relationship with this client?
If the answer to these two questions is yes there are a few secondary questions:
- Is work within the geographic area we have established to work within?
- Does the timing of when we are available to perform the work align with the clients timeframe?
If these are all agreeable we schedule preconstruction planning (where we draw the plans, select finishes, estimate and schedule) and then allocate the project within our pipeline of upcoming projects.
While we could establish a policy of only taking projects of a certain scale or dollar amount, this is not who we have chosen to be organizationally. We like to work within, and holistically serve, our community to the best of our ability. This results in an opportunity to take projects within multiple price points and finish levels. For years we have intentionally procured a blend of clientele that represents both the middle and upper ends of the economic market.
On the topic of the financial market, I would like to say that positions on the economic ladder do not define human value. We believe human value is a Divine Birthright that transcends any material or physical possessions.
As custom builders we are uniquely positioned to work for the middle and upper classes all while providing jobs, economic opportunity and stability to the poor and middle class. We consider it an honor to occupy a role that serves and benefits each rung of the economic ladder.
What is Housing for the Working Middle Class?
Let’s practically define Housing for the Working Middle Class. It is a new home or renovation tailored to those that live, work, raise families and provide services within our community. School teachers, police officers, service providers, technicians, artists, construction workers, nurses, hospitality providers, the list goes on. It is not student, retirement or subsidized housing. It is a free market initiative that invites collaborative support and engagement.
Housing for those that work in our community has always been a challenge, yet each of the 23 years we have served our community as custom builders the riddle gets harder and harder to solve.
We have outlined three paths to implement housing for the working middle class:
- Individual projects
- Developing a new community starting with the raw land
- Employer provided housing
We have drawn several floor plans specifically for H4WMC projects. Additionally we have procured some interior and exterior finish selection packages for clients to select to expedite the preconstruction planning process.
Each of these floor plans have the ability to add to the home as needed if the needs of the homeowner change. For example; a family is growing and needs another bedroom.
Individual Projects
Individual projects are for clients that have their own land and select a floor plan and finish selection package to be estimated and placed on their land. We have implemented a few of these projects over the past 5–8 years. Some can be seen on our website.
We offer:
- H4WMC‑specific floor plans
- Curated finish packages
- Expandable layouts for growing families
- A proven track record — eight projects completed in recent years
Development of a New Community
This will take a collective effort and is the most involved, yet will have the biggest result in achieving the goal. This will be a new planned community with the objective of providing housing for the working middle class.
We are assembling an integrated group of:
- Property owners
- Land planners
- Lenders
- Professional services
Together, we aim to create a planned community intentionally designed for local workers.
If you’re one of these partners, your involvement can shape the future of the High Country.
Employer Provided Housing
One of the biggest challenges employers face in our community is housing for their team and workforce. We are working on coordinating a group of mid-sized to large employers within our community to provide interim housing for their team as they integrate into the community.
If you are, or represent, an employer in Watauga, Avery or Ashe counties please share your information in the form below.
Conclusion
We are in the early stages of the New Development & Employer Provided paths. Please contact us in the form below if you would like to participate in these paths.
You may be reading this and wondering if 4 Forty Four builds high end, million dollar and up custom homes and commercial projects? The answer is a resounding YES. Serving the higher end of the market helps position us to provide housing for the working middle class. A proper blend of high end and middle market product lines is what positions us to pursue our Mission, Vision & Core Values.
Housing for the Working Middle Class is a service tailored to those that live, work, raise families and provide services within our community. School teachers, police officers, nurses, medical care givers, service providers, technicians, artists, construction workers, hospitality providers, etc…
It is not student, retirement or subsidized housing. It is a free market initiative that requires community support and engagement. We are inviting and coordinating participation from those that have a desire to collectively solve this riddle.
It starts with a vision to provide housing for those that currently commute to work in our community with the desire to live, work and participate in the community in a substantive way.
If you would like to learn more or participate please complete the form below.