ABINGDON, Va., July 2, 2025 — The Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia proudly announces the creation of Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners (AHHP), a wholly owned nonprofit subsidiary formed to address the region’s urgent need for workforce housing.
Officially established in November 2024, AHHP is already building momentum to help meet this critical challenge across Washington, Grayson, Russell and Smyth counties.
The idea for AHHP was born out of extensive research, community input, and recurring feedback from advisory groups across all four counties served by Wellspring Foundation. In these conversations, one issue rose to the top again and again: the lack of attainable housing options for middle-income workers like nurses, teachers, first responders and other essential employees who form the backbone of healthy communities.
AHHP’s projects will focus on three segments of housing: Preservation which will include purchase and improving existing housing stock to ensure it stays affordable; Redevelopment which takes underutilized properties and develops them to be put back in the market; and finally, Greenfield in which AHHP will develop new neighborhoods to create attainable living solutions. Through a unique model that separates land from homeownership using long-term ground leases, AHHP ensures homes remain affordable while helping residents build equity and stability.
Sean McMurray, Executive Director of the Wellspring Foundation, emphasized the intentional, community-driven nature of this initiative. “Housing is a critical piece of the puzzle—without it, families struggle to succeed in every other area of life,” said McMurray. “AHHP allows us to act intentionally and directly to support working families, attract new talent to our region, and prepare our communities for the future.” He added, “We listened to our neighbors, local leaders, and reviewed data. AHHP is the result of strong partnerships and shared commitment.
This is about creating both housing and hope—rebuilding opportunity from the ground up.” McMurray added, “We are thrilled to have found someone with Mayana’s expertise to fill this critical role.” Mayana Rice, the newly appointed director of AHHP, brings extensive experience in regional planning, land use and community development to the organization. This includes her previous role as Assistant Town Manager and Community Development Director in Abingdon where she led a comprehensive zoning rewrite enabling 500+ new homes and guided planning, public works, tourism, fire services and emergency preparedness initiatives.
“Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners represents more than just bricks and mortar—it’s about building futures,” said Rice. “Our model allows people to put down roots, build equity and contribute to a stronger, more vibrant Appalachian Highlands. I’m honored to help lead this effort.” AHHP’s mission extends beyond just homebuilding. The organization is committed to improving the entire housing ecosystem—supporting skilled trades education, investing in workforce pipelines, and fostering community infrastructure to sustain long-term growth.
Tom Revels, Board Chair of AHHP and long-time community advocate, believes the initiative is a direct response to a long-standing need. “We’re not just constructing houses—we’re strengthening communities,” said Revels. “AHHP is committed to ensuring that the people who live and work in Southwest Virginia can afford to stay and thrive here. This is local work, led by local people, with long-term impact.” Marvin Gilliam, Chairman of the Wellspring Foundation Board, highlighted how this effort
reflects the Wellspring Foundation’s evolving role in the region. “Affordable housing is foundational to health, education, and economic opportunity,” said Gilliam. “AHHP reflects Wellspring Foundation’s mission to act as a goal-oriented partner for systemic change. We’re excited to see the impact this work will have across the communities we serve.”
AHHP is currently identifying development sites and collaborating with local partners to launch its first housing projects. Both Wellspring Foundation and AHHP look forward to engaging with public and private stakeholders who share in their vision of strong thriving communities.
For more information, visit www.ahhpva.org.