GREENVILLE, N.C. — An ambitious new plan to construct 50 affordable housing units over the next 10 years got underway on Monday with officials from each of the initiative's partners breaking ground on the site of the first homes.

For the 50-in-10 Affordable Housing Initiative, the City of Greenville is partnering with a variety of local entities to achieve its lofty goal. Partners in the first phase were well represented at Monday's groundbreaking, including a large contingency of Pitt Community College Construction and Industrial Technology students who will be constructing the first three homes built.

The ceremony took place at 909 Cherry Street, near the future site of some of the new homes. Other partners represented at the event included Pitt County, Greenville Utilities Commission, ECU Health, and private donors Parker and Becky Overton.

Homes will be built by students in the upcoming year, offering them hands-on experience and workforce development while serving the community. Once constructed on campus, the homes will be relocated to City-owned parcels near West Sixth Street, including areas where Davis Street intersects with Cherry and Imperial Streets. Program income from the sale of the properties will be reinvested in additional affordable homes in the community to support the 50-in-10 efforts.

This collaborative initiative reflects a dual investment in affordable housing and workforce development. The project will increase homeownership opportunities for low- to moderate-income households while preparing local students for careers in the skilled trades. Upon completion of the homes, the City and PCC will evaluate the potential to scale the model in future years to support the City's long-term goal of delivering 50 affordable housing units in 10 years.