The Givens Affordable Communities journey began with the earliest moments of Givens Communities when Givens Estates was initially developed with 78 HUD subsidized apartments.

These apartments opened in 1979 and housed the first residents before the campus evolved into a Life Plan Community.

In 2007, Givens Great Laurels opened in Waynesville near the Lake Junaluska Conference Center. This was Givens first venture into using low-income housing tax credits to expand affordable housing with 100 more apartments.

The Givens Board of Directors has remained committed through the years to serving seniors at all income levels. In 2012, almost 13 acres of property that was formerly occupied by a Gerber baby food plant near the Givens Estates campus was acquired to become the fourth campus, Givens Gerber Park.

In 2016, Givens Communities held a simultaneous ceremony of a grand opening for 40 Givens Gerber Park along with a groundbreaking ceremony for the planned buildings of 50 and 60 Givens Gerber Park. There was a sense of accomplishment during the traditional ribbon cutting, and the promise of more good things to come, as shovels lightly scooped up handfuls of dirt.

In 2018, then Chair of Givens Board of Directors Doris Loomis stood before assembled guests, residents and media at a ribbon cutting ceremony followed by an open house for 50 & 60 Givens Gerber Park. “It truly took a village of supporters and investors to make this dream come true,” she said. “We are grateful to each one of you and your contribution to making this campus possible. Residents are enjoying their spacious apartments, many and varied amenities, and the easy access to the surrounding south Asheville community.”

The Givens Affordable Communities journey continues. In a partnership with Mountain Projects, Western Carolina University and Jackson County’s Office of Economic Development, a proposed multi-income residential development in Sylva will include 120 affordable senior apartments, to be known as Givens Webster Village.

In McDowell County, Givens Affordable Communities purchased the Clinchfield Mill in  2022 using a $3 million grant from the Dogwood Health Trust for the development of affordable housing. The historic structure in Marion was constructed in 1917 and originally served as a textile mill, employing hundreds of workers, and was later utilized by a local textile logistics company. Givens plans to create 141 apartments in the Mill to serve seniors at all income levels and is partnering with other non-profits to develop the remaining property around the Mill.