PULASKI, Va. – Finding an affordable place to live is a challenge many Americans face, but Pulaski County is taking action to change that.
Leaders in Pulaski County have broken ground—and broken glass—on the future of Claremont Elementary School.
“I’m really proud to be part of a community that has taken the bull by the horns and we’re really getting to work here,” said John Crockett, Pulaski County’s director of community development.
The project, which has been in the works since 2019, involves converting the over 70-year-old school and property into more than 50 apartments.
“To breathe new life into this school and see its continued use rather than just watching it fall over on its own or pushing it over is a great thing to see,” Crockett said.
Crockett explained that the complex will be for individuals who meet a certain financial threshold and is intended for working families or the elderly.
“These will be affordable rather than market rate,” Crockett said.
He also emphasized the widespread need for affordable housing.
“It’s not just Pulaski County, it’s needed across the nation,” Crockett said. “We hear the calls every day that we need housing. Not just housing, but we need affordable housing. We need housing our community can afford.”
Sam Sari from Landmark Asset Services, who specializes in projects like this said the challenge of transforming a historical school into an apartment complex can be a huge undertaking.
“Everything has to be done that preserves its original appearance,” said Sari. “You can’t just tear it down and build it back how you want. You really have to fit apartment units into classrooms and make them look good,” he explained.
The goal is to have these apartments ready and open for residents by 2026.
This project is just one of multiple initiatives for affordable housing in the county.