Wabuck Development Company, Inc. is a for-profit, mission-driven corporation that that was founded by Garry D. Watkins to partner with financial institutions for the purpose of developing affordable housing across Kentucky and surrounding states. Wabuck began in 1980 by developing properties utilizing Rural Development Funds (formerly FmHA) and has long-since encompassed utilizing Low Income Housing Tax Credits and financing by Kentucky Housing Corporation, HUD, HOME, Affordable Housing Trust Fund, KHC Risk-Sharing and Federal Home Loan Bank Affordable Housing Program Funds. To date the organization has developed approximately 4,500 units across the region utilizing a wide source of funding.
Wabuck Development Company has taken a conservative and responsible approach in its development activities; the organization has never undertaken a project that it has not successfully completed. The quality of our work is evident and we have earned the respect and recognition of our peers and the partners with whom we have collaborated on our developments.
Throughout the years, Wabuck has developed the expertise, innovation, creativity and knowledge that successful developments in today’s society demand.
Our commitment to excellence and our mission is firm, as we strive daily to create quality affordable housing developments which will enhance the standard of living for those in need. Through collaboration with service providers, we are able to enhance our developments by offering our tenants the avenues and tools of empowerment to help them create a better quality of life for themselves and their families.
As Wabuck has evolved, we have also developed specialized social models which offer services to specific targeted distressed populations. We developed and constructed a 100 bed Recovery Kentucky Governor’s initiative in Henderson, Kentucky which assists low-income and homeless women suffering from substance abuse. This facility opened it’s doors in July 2007 and is now at full capacity having already successfully graduated many individuals through the recovery program. This initiative involves a long-term live-in residential self-help program based on the 12 steps of alcoholics anonymous. We are currently beginning construction on 2 family affordable housing developments in Henderson which will assist the population exiting from the Recovery Program with permanent or transitional housing needs for themselves and their families.
Wabuck has also developed three specialized Kentucky Housing Corporation initiated Scholar House social models; one in Bowling Green, Kentucky, one in Owensboro, Kentucky and one in Paducah, Kentucky. Each of these developments total $8 million dollar and consist of 56 units of 2 bedroom multi-family housing, a 10,000 square foot daycare facility operated by the local community action/head start offices and a 1,600 square foot community building housing a large meeting room and a computer lab with internet access. There is also an education program that is attached to these projects which offer rental assistance to all who are eligible.The Scholar House program was designed to assist low-income parents who wish to strive toward self-sufficiency by furthering their post-secondary education with a 2 or 4 year degree. Our Bowling Green Scholar House development was nominated for Affordable Housing Finance’ Magazine’s Readers Choice Awards for outstanding project in its class and best overall project for 2009.
We, here at Wabuck, are very proud of all our developments, as we have a commitment to excellence and to serve our fellow man. As our organization continues to evolve with these changing times, our mission remains constant; to develop safe, decent, affordable housing to help improve the lives of those in need.
Please contact us at:
Wabuck Development Company, Inc.
100 Wabuck Drive
Leitchfield, Kentucky 42754
Office: (270) 259-5607
Fax: (270) 259-6071
E-mail: anthony.elmore@wabuck.com