After sitting empty for years, downtown Salisbury’s former Ford dealership is back in gear, this time as housing instead of horsepower. The property has been transformed into Ford City Motor Lofts, a 64-unit senior apartment community built around the restored South Main Street showroom. Twenty-eight apartments sit inside the original dealership building, with the remaining units spread across five nearby buildings. City officials say the first residents are expected to move in next Wednesday.
A new home for older residents
According to WSOC, the Osceola Council on Aging officially opened Ford City Motor Lofts this month as a six-building senior complex. The project includes 28 apartments inside the restored showroom, with studio units starting at $806 a month. U.S. Army veteran Willie Ballard Jr., who plans to move in, told the station that the lower rent will help him save money and continue supporting unhoused neighbors he already assists. Osceola CEO Wendy Ford cautioned that many older adults in the area are relying on roughly $1,000 a month in Social Security, making subsidized rents critical. WSOC reports the $19.2 million development received $6 million in HUD grant funding, and that eligible tenants will pay about 30% of their income toward rent while HUD picks up the remainder.
Funding, unit rules and services
The City of Salisbury project overview and the developer outline how the 64 units are divided. Thirty-six apartments are funded through HUD’s Section 202 PRAC program and are reserved for residents age 62 and older, while the remaining 28 units use Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and are available to residents 55 and up. Under the PRAC model, tenants pay roughly 30% of their income toward rent, with HUD covering the balance. Plans call for accessible common areas and on-site supportive programming. The development is co-owned by the Osceola Council on Aging and The Mid-Atlantic Foundation, which say they will run on-site services that include congregate meals along with fitness and computer spaces.
Where it fits in downtown's comeback
The Ford City conversion followed a 2023 groundbreaking and caps a multi-year push to bring more affordable housing to the South Main corridor. Local coverage notes that developers secured additional support this winter, including a $500,000 grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta to help offset rising construction costs, according to the Salisbury Post. City planners say projects like Ford City are part of a broader South Main strategy to keep older residents close to bus routes, services and downtown amenities. The Kesler Mill redevelopment and other nearby proposals highlight a downtown push to blend historic preservation with new housing options.
Leasing and next steps
Leasing and eligibility for Ford City Motor Lofts are being managed by the Osceola Council on Aging, whose project page includes application details and contact information for prospective tenants. The property is listed with the city at 419 S. Main Street in Salisbury. Officials say they plan to track occupancy levels and the rollout of supportive services as residents begin moving in this spring.
