Western North Carolina Housing Partnership
Murphy – On a crisp Friday morning, what began as an empty field several years ago had transformed into something that still seemed almost too good to be true: 56 units of genuinely beautiful affordable housing, nestled against the rolling mountains, with rents starting at just $520 a month.
The grand opening of Valley River Apartments wasn’t just a ribbon cutting – it was a celebration of what happens when a small town refuses to accept that “affordable” has to mean “adequate.” As guests toured the spacious one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, with their large windows framing mountain views and modern finishes that wouldn’t look out of place in market-rate developments, the pride in the room was unmistakable.
“This is more than bricks and mortar,” Mayor Tim Radford said as he prepared to cut the ceremonial ribbon. “It’s about building opportunity, stability, and a stronger future for the people who call Murphy home.”
However, perhaps the most powerful moment came when Kaylee Jones, wife of Murphy police Officer Caleb Jones, shared what Valley River means to her growing family. Expecting their first child, she described the relief of finally having a safe, beautiful place to raise their baby.
“We finally have a safe place to grow our family,” she said, her voice carrying the weight of so many working families who’ve watched housing costs outpace their paychecks. “It’s a blessing we’ll never forget.”
Her story captures exactly why Valley River matters. These aren’t just apartments – they’re homes for the teachers, first responders, retail workers, and other essential employees who keep Murphy running.
The development’s income restrictions ensure that families earning 40-60% of the area median income can access housing that might otherwise be financially out of reach, with utilities included, and professional management that treats residents as valued community members rather than charity cases.
The celebration itself reflected the collaborative spirit that made the project possible. Joy Strassel, executive director of the Western North Carolina Housing Partnership, opened the ceremony by acknowledging the broad coalition that turned vision into reality: the Town of Murphy, including Radford and former mayor Rick Ramsey, Town Manager Chad Simons, the entire town council, plus state and federal partners like the Appalachian Regional Commission, N.C. Housing Finance Agency, N.C. Department of Commerce and Dogwood Health Trust, plus private investors CAHEC and Churchill Stateside Group.
The story Strassel and others told wasn’t just about securing funding – though the complex financing involved federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, state housing trust funds, Community Development Block Grants and private investment totaling millions. It was about persistence across political transitions, creative problem-solving during a pandemic, and a shared commitment that never wavered even when obstacles seemed insurmountable.
Ramsey recalled the early days, when Strassel first saw the property and immediately envisioned its potential. That vision required blasting through rock, installing new utility infrastructure, building a pump station that serves both the apartments and adjacent retail plaza and navigating the kind of regulatory complexity that might have deterred a less committed partnership.
Representing the N.C. Department of Commerce’s Rural Economic Development Division, assistant secretary Reginald Speight delivered heartfelt remarks about the value of partnership.
“You all are heroes of a story that most people won’t know,” he said. “But the lives you’re changing will be forever impacted by what you’ve done here.”
Speight praised the town for stepping up when it mattered most and showing what real community investment looks like. He invited Vivian, a member of his team, to speak as well.
Vivian thanked the town, WNC Housing and all partners, adding, “Partnerships only work when everyone is committed – and you’ve shown exactly how it should be done.”
The celebration continued with tours of model apartments that showcased what sets Valley River apart. The one-bedroom units offer 806 square feet of thoughtfully designed space. The two-bedroom apartments sprawl across 1,053 square feet with two full bathrooms – a luxury that acknowledges the reality of families sharing space. The three-bedroom units provide 1,213 square feet for larger households, all featuring energy-efficient appliances, in-unit washer and dryer connections and those crucial large windows that flood the spaces with natural light.
Outside, the community amenities reflect the same attention to quality and livability: a computer center with internet access, on-site laundry facilities, a multipurpose community room with kitchenette for gatherings, and outdoor spaces including a gazebo and covered picnic area where the mountain views provide a daily reminder that affordable housing doesn’t have to sacrifice beauty for accessibility.
Despite being within walking distance of dozens of retail outlets and services – including Walmart right next door – Valley River maintains the serene dignity of its riverside setting. The landscaping and positioning ensure residents enjoy the convenience of nearby amenities while feeling completely removed from big box commercialism.
As the morning’s ceremonies concluded with a community lunch catered by Legend’s Steakhouse and held at the Murphy Fire Department, Valley River’s broader significance became clear. This wasn’t just about housing 56 families – it was about proving that rural communities can take control of their housing futures through public-private partnerships that create genuinely transformative outcomes.
The project’s impact extends well beyond its residents. By providing stable, attractive housing for the workforce that keeps Murphy functioning, Valley River supports local businesses, reduces employee turnover, and demonstrates the kind of strategic thinking about community development that positions small towns to thrive rather than merely survive.
Scott Farmer, executive director of the N.C. Housing Finance Agency, emphasized how projects like Valley River require not just initial vision but sustained commitment through inevitable challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic could have derailed the project, but instead, additional state funding helped keep construction on track – a testament to both the project’s merit and the partnership’s resilience.
Radford’s closing words captured the spirit that made Valley River possible: “This is just the beginning.”
Valley River offers a different model – one where collaboration, persistence and refusal to accept false choices can create something genuinely transformative.
The celebration in Murphy wasn’t just about 56 new apartments. It was about 56 families who’ll have stable, beautiful homes in a community that chose to act rather than hope.
Valley River stands as proof that with the right partnerships and sustained commitment, even small towns can create housing solutions that honor both fiscal responsibility and human dignity.
Details: Email valleyriver@upmapartments.com or visit upmapartments.com/find-housing/western-nc/valley-river-apartments and wnchousing.org.