Open Hearts Place breaks ground on 44-home Hildebran Switch

The intermediate housing nonprofit Open Hearts Place is beginning its new venture in 2025: a 6.2-acre housing development called the Hildebran Switch.

The housing development in Hildebran will include 44 homes that are 650 to 1,400 square feet with a variety of bedroom/bath options. Three of the homes will be designated for the OHP program, while the remaining will be sold at attainable prices for workforce individuals and seniors in Burke County.

Ken Orndorff of Piedmont Building Partners gifted the land to the Open Hearts Place.

An environmental impact study is underway and once completed, clearing of the land will begin. OHP and partners are hoping to construct up to four homes this year. Two dozen homes will be built as part of Phase One.

Partnerships, including the WPCC Building Construction Technology classes, will bring these homes to life.

Details of the neighborhood were announced during the symbolic groundbreaking of Hildebran Switch on Tuesday, May 13. Sharing the good news were co-founders Madelyn and Tom Russ, Mayor Wendell Hildebrand, Colby Swanson of ADL Ventures, Rob Howards of Appalachian State University and Howard Building Science, and county commissioner Randy Burns.

HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES

Madelyn shared the beginning of their housing efforts, dating back to 2020. Since then, OHP has been tackling the housing shortage by providing families with affordable intermediate homes and programming such as financial empowerment, mental health resources, and being a support system.

This development, along with Open Hearts’ six other homes, provides more housing opportunities for families.

“As you all know, there’s just a housing shortage in this country and in this community, and especially affordable housing that people need. The houses are just getting so outrageously priced. I just want to welcome Open Hearts here to our town. We look forward to working with you. We hope you have great success here,” Hildebrand said.

On the same note, Burns talked about how housing is more than what people perceive it to be; It is about creating hope and a future for families.

“It represents our commitment as a county to care for our neighbors and invest in solutions that strengthen our entire community. Affordable housing isn’t just a social issue, it’s an economic one. When families can afford their rent, they can invest in their children’s education, contribute to our workforce, and participate fully in the life of our county,” Burns explained.

“It reduces the strain on our health care systems, it improves outcomes in our schools, and it creates a stronger, more resilient population.”

Community leaders, nonprofits, and developers can leave a lasting impact, Burns said, when they combine efforts.

INDUSTRIALIZED CONSTRUCTION

“I think everybody knows and hears about the cost, and it’s taking longer, and affordable housing is harder and harder for regular folks to be able to get into,” Swanson of ADL Ventures said.

His company works to develop and launch clean infrastructure projects.

Swanson described how industrial construction technologies, like 3-D printing or panelized construction, can be slower to be adopted within the construction industry.

“One of the challenges in getting the construction industry to do something different is that they need an example. They need to be able to see what it is and how it works if you’re a builder, if you’re an architect. We’ve got a lot of work to do here because we’re showing the community how to build with these new technologies. Industrialized construction is going to be an important part of the future,” Swanson said.

“... This is not just about rebuilding after a hurricane. This is about building a new economy, building new revenue, a new tax base, and new jobs. So there’s a long-term play. It’s economic development,” he said.

For instance, The Industrial Commons is working on bringing textiles back and furniture building in western North Carolina.

This site will be an example of industrialized construction in play and creating housing opportunities for the workforce.

SUSTAINABLE & ATTAINABLE

Howard teaches at Appalachian State University and is a general contractor by trade.

He began his construction career by working for Habitat for Humanity in Hickory and was a construction manager there for 10 years.

“I actually started there in 2001, which was the same year that Advanced Energy in Raleigh started their system Vision Program for affordable housing providers in the state, which is focused on trying to build more energy efficient homes that are more comfortable, have better indoor air quality or more durable, all those good things,” Howard said.

He is now the developer of the Duke Street Cottages project in Granite Falls, which are Zero Energy Ready Homes. These homes are not only affordable to buy, but also affordable to own and operate with energy efficiency factors in mind.

Howard said that the homes use additional layers of insulation and more efficient HVAC equipment. Those features will be showcased in the new Hildebran Switch homes.

PASSION FOR HOUSING

Ending the evening, co-founder Tom called out for donor support for the housing project. The goal is to raise $200,000, with grants in the making as he spoke.

He thanked all who attended and the amount of help the organization has received.

“We are like-minded individuals. You are here with a passion to help affordable, attainable houses,” Tom said. “... You’ve got to understand the passion that it takes to do this project. It is a love thing, for your neighbor.”

Whether you want to support OHP through a donation of money or your time, you can visit www.openheartsplace.org for more information.