Leading Housing Advocates and Public Officials Gathered to Recognize the Impact of Kilpatrick Woods on Affordable Housing
Hagerstown, MD — On May 15, 2024, Next Step® Network and EquityPlus LLC celebrated a milestone in affordable housing with the unveiling of Kilpatrick Woods, a transformative community set to redefine inclusive zoning and affordable single-family living. The Kilpatrick Woods Open House, sponsored by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, included tours of completed homes and remarks from guest speakers, including FHFA Director Sandra Thompson and FHA Commissioner Julia Gordon.
“Today we celebrate the grand opening of Kilpatrick Woods – the first community of its kind in the region,” said Tom Heinemann, a developer partner with EquityPlus. “We wouldn’t be here today without creativity, persistence and patience – and most importantly the support of our family of partners – Eagle River, TRIAD, Compass Realty, Next Step, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Inclusive Capital Partners Foundation, and the City of Hagerstown – all of them critical to getting us here today and moving us forward.”
Homes in Kilpatrick Woods, built by Eagle River Homes and meeting Next Step’s specifications, are constructed on a permanent foundation and qualify for mortgage financing options available from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. This new 238-home subdivision will include 2-, 3-, and 4-bedroom options, with home prices ranging from $280,000 to $375,000.
“Kilpatrick Woods is an example of what’s possible,” said Stacey Epperson, president and founder of Next Step. “It’s an example of what’s possible when homebuilders, developers, lenders, advocates, and the government embrace a common solution and work collaboratively to implement that solution.”
Kilpatrick Woods represents a pioneering effort to address homeownership affordability and supply challenges by leveraging the efficiency of off-site homebuilding, combined with inclusive zoning practices. As manufactured homes emerge as a key part of the solution to address housing supply and affordability, Kilpatrick Woods stands as a testament to redefining perceptions and advancing the role of manufactured housing in meeting the needs of more communities.
Learn more about the Kilpatrick Woods community at www.kilpatrick-woods.com.