By WILL WHATLEY, Alabama Daily News
ANDALUSIA – State Rep. Will Ainsworth (R-Guntersville), who is running to become Alabama’s next lieutenant governor, visited Andalusia Wednesday to celebrate the construction of a new complex to support affordable housing for the area.
It’s part of a statewide initiative to provide better access to quality, affordable housing for working families.
“The mayor said the number one economic issue here is more housing, so for that issue to be addressed it should help them strengthen their economy,” Ainsworth said.
State Sen. Jimmy Holley and State Rep. Mike Jones, who represent Covington County in the Alabama Legislature, welcomed Ainsworth to Covington County for the event.
“We appreciate Will being here in Andalusia to celebrate this special event, and we look forward to working with him in the Legislature,” Jones said.
Sponsored by the Alabama Affordable Housing Association, the “Making Alabama Sweet Home Again” tour came to Andalusia to announce 56 housing units would soon be built for working families in Covington County. Officials expect construction to begin in early 2019 with the development being completed and ready for tenants in early 2020.
Across the state, more than 1,100 housing units have been built that have resulted in an estimated economic impact of $150 million and created or supported 1,249 jobs.
“When you look at the tax credits and capital that goes in to these complexes, along with the jobs it’s going to create and support, I think it’s a winning formula,” Ainsworth said.
The Alabama Affordable Housing Association can be found online at www.theaaha.org.