ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VA. (CBS19 NEWS) -- Habitat for Humanity hosted a community gathering to celebrate the completion of the first homes in the new Southwood development. 

The Southwood development, located next to the Five Pillars Park, was bought by Habitat for Humanity back in 2007 when residents were going to lose the rights to the land. 

Since then, Habitat has put in more than $30 million to build affordable housing, being the first in the nation to ever accomplish a project like this.

“This process where the residents stepped up and designed every element of their neighborhood, and our hope that Southwood will not only be a beautiful place to be but an example for how to do it right across the country,” Dan Rosensweig, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville, said.

Village one of eleven will become the home to 80 families, 35 being Habitat Homes, 14 being affordable rentals and 35 as Market-rate homes.