Givens Communities will celebrate a major milestone on October 20 with the groundbreaking of Givens Webster Village, a new affordable senior housing community in Jackson County expected to be completed around 2028.
Located at 137 Little Savannah Road in Sylva, Givens Webster Village will bring 120 affordable apartment homes for older adults to a larger 48-acre, multi-income residential community designed to bring seniors, children and families together.
The development represents a collaborative effort between Givens Communities, Mountain Projects and Western Carolina University, with support from Jackson County’s Office of Economic Development. The larger Webster Village vision also includes plans for workforce housing, including 35 single-family homes and 50 to 85 multi-family apartments, as well as a childcare center and EMS substation.
Givens Webster Village received $10,318,240 through the HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program, an award announced January 15, 2025. The project was one of only 11 developments nationwide selected for funding in that award cycle.
The development will serve senior households earning at or below 60% of the area median income. Plans include 96 one-bedroom apartments and 24 two-bedroom apartments, with the HUD Section 202 award providing rental assistance for 60 of the one-bedroom homes.
With a total development cost expected to exceed $30 million, the project has also received significant community support. Dogwood Health Trust provided $607,000 toward the purchase of the property, Jackson County committed $1.5 million to the development, and the Southwestern NC HOME Consortium awarded additional funding to support both the Givens Communities and Mountain Projects portions of Webster Village.
The October 20 groundbreaking marks an exciting step forward for a project built on collaboration and a shared commitment to Western North Carolina.
Rowhouse Architects is serving as the architect for Givens Webster Village, helping bring the vision for the new senior community to life. Construction will move the project closer to an anticipated completion around 2028.
Together, the Webster Village partners envision a vibrant, intergenerational community where older adults, children and families of different income levels can live alongside one another, build relationships and have access to resources that support healthier, more fulfilling lives.
Help make affordable senior living possible by supporting Affordable Communities at Givens. Make a gift today at https://givensfoundation.org/giving/ or contact Brian Guengerich, Vice President of Philanthropy, at 828-575-1085 for more information about supporting Givens Webster Village.
Givens Communities and its Webster Village partners look forward to celebrating the October 20 groundbreaking and taking another important step toward creating a community where older adults can thrive through connection, engagement and access to supportive services.
Learn more about Givens’ partnerships and impact in the community at givensfoundation.org/news.