VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) - Officials in Valdosta are working to combat a state-wide issue through a public-private development partnership.

The private developer has already built four affordable apartment complexes and is looking to add more space.

Valdosta resident Jacquelyn Hogan said, “I couldn’t find nothing in Valdosta, so that put me having to go to Lake Park.”

After downsizing four years ago, Hogan wanted to find a place that kept her near family, provided easy travel to appointments, but most importantly, offered affordability.

“Food prizes are up…and right now, I’m without a car. So now I’m in walking distance of a lot of stores — Dollar General, Piggly Wiggly," she said.

The fair market rent in Valdosta is approximately $1,400 for all property types and all bedrooms, which is about 70% lower than the national average. Even so, the need for more development projects is critical with over 800 people on the waiting list to move in Harvest Station apartments.

Rhett Holmes, IDP Properties president and owner, said, “When affordable housing is considered infrastructure by the federal government, that just shows you how critical it is to the impact and the fiber of the community. And that public-private partnership has allowed us to have the funding necessary to build something like this.”

Holmes said the three-year project was made possible with the city of Valdosta and Valdosta Housing Authority.

Now with 80 new apartment homes in phase one, ranging between $550 to $1,045 per month depending on unit size, the partnership is ready to do more.

“We gotta make sure that we provide affordable housing in our communities, and it gives us a chance to work with our local government to make sure we are putting the housing where the jobs are and where it is needed,” Holmes said.

Construction for phase two is expected to begin in next 60 to 90 days, bringing 80 more apartments.

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