AMY Wellness Foundation and AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina mark beginning of renovation for Lamp Post Lofts in downtown Burnsville
BURNSVILLE, N.C. — Even before Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina in 2024, projections showed Yancey County needed more than 1,100 additional housing units over the next five years.
AMY Wellness Foundation and AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina are helping to meet that need by transforming the former Lamp Post Village Market building in downtown Burnsville into 11 affordable workforce housing units and two retail spaces.
Community leaders, partners, and supporters joined the two organizations on July 25 to kick off the project.
“Housing is one of the most critical building blocks of a healthy and thriving community,” said Luke Howe, Executive Director of AMY Wellness Foundation. “By creating attainable housing opportunities for teachers, healthcare professionals, service workers, and other members of our workforce, we are investing directly in the strength and sustainability of our community and local economy. Lamp Post Lofts reflects our commitment to preserving the character of downtown Burnsville while ensuring that the people who contribute to its success have a place to call home. This project is about building opportunity, strengthening community, and creating a brighter future for generations to come.”
By repurposing an existing Main Street building, Lamp Post Lofts is providing housing within walking distance of jobs, services, and community life while helping preserve an important part of downtown Burnsville and boosting economic development.
AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina is helping to fund the renovation with a $3 million community investment.
“Lamp Post Lofts represents our organizations’ shared commitment to strengthening rural communities,” said Heidi Chan, Market President of AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina. “This investment reflects our mission to help people get care, stay well, and build healthy communities. Stable housing is a basic need that can make it easier for Burnsville residents to care for their health, support themselves and their families, and stay connected to the community they love.”
The project is expected to be completed in 2028.
Lamp Post Lofts is designed to provide quality, affordable workforce housing for the people who live and work in Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey counties. Rents will be priced using local Area Median Income (AMI) guidelines to help keep housing within reach for the region’s workforce. Residents must be employed (or have accepted employment) within those three counties, use the apartment as their primary residence, and complete the standard application and screening process.