Now that hundreds of people are finding employment in Greene County, one issue remains which is available housing.

Economic Development Director Ken Paxton says a housing committee has been working on a special project.  Former Jefferson Building and Zoning Official Tom Heater made a list of 30 vacant houses that don’t have their water disconnected, north of Lincoln Way.  Paxton states that they are contacting the owners of those properties to see if they would like to put them on the market for people to purchase.

He notes that he would like to get another 30 houses identified south of Lincoln Way.  Paxton believes this project could really help those needing a home to find one.

“You take those 60 houses, and if we can contact the owners and find 10 or 20 of those, that could be made available for sale or for rent, that will be an enormous asset to our community to get those on the market.”

It was mentioned at this month’s Greene County Development Corporation meeting that 52 houses in Jefferson, that were on the market, have sold since the beginning of 2015.  29 of those 52 homes sold for $50,000 or less.  Paxton adds that he has the other cities in the County working on finding available housing in their respective communities.

Paxton says a 44-unit development is planned by JCorporation for townhomes and condominiums by the City’s Water Tower with another 12 to 16-units to go in by St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.  If you have a house available that you are thinking about selling, contact Paxton at the Greene County Chamber office at 386-2155.