A Jackson developer is trying to begin the second phase of the Providence Place houses, which were constructed off Williams Roberts Road in Columbus two years ago.

Paul Smith, of Trademark Enterprises LLC, is seeking permits from Lowndes County to begin constructing 23 new single-family dwellings and a playground. Smith hopes to begin construction toward the end of August and be finished by July 2011.

The plans call for each house to be 2,100 square feet including the garage. The homes will feature three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, dining room, kitchen and underground utilities. There is also a subdivision manager on site who oversees the neighborhood during business hours.

Smith was hopeful the houses would fill up quickly, given the success of the first phase, which built 23 houses in July 2008.

“The first 23 we did, they filled up before we finished, and not one person has moved out,” Smith said. “There”s zero vacancy.”Trademark Enterprises specializes in commercial and land development as well as single- and multi-family housing. They have completed numerous projects around Jackson and are developing two other subdivisions, one in Crystal Springs and the other in the Jackson area.

To lessen the financial burden of owning a new home, residents will have the option to apply for a need-based federal tax credit, one of Smith”s selling points for the development.

“These are houses that are well-built structures that will house a less-fortunate family that deserves a really nice house,” Smith said. “With government assistance, they can get help to move in.”

The financial assistance is made possible by the Federal Housing Tax Credits program, according to Mike Hedges, the owner Double H Investments, which manages the Providence Place properties. Hedges said the tax cuts are available to companies or people who invest capital in the property. Hedges, in turn, can pass on a reduced rate to the residents.

“The sale of the tax credit offsets the mortgage so we don”t have to charge as much rent,” Hedges said.

Hedges said that individuals and families with an income as little as 60 percent of the national median family income were eligible to live in the houses. The Boston Capital Corporation has signed on as the main investor for the project, Hedges said.

Janice Richmond moved into the subdivision in September 2008 and has been pleased with the quality and location of the homes.

“It”s peaceful,” she said. “(The houses) are reliable. The utilities are not bad, even with the weather as hot as it is. The neighbors are wonderful. It puts my mind on the old days.”

Charles Culpepper, director of the Lowndes County building inspections office, said his previous interactions with Smith”s company have been smooth. Assuming Smith turns in the appropriate paperwork for permits, he should be on schedule.

“It”s a go, pretty much,” Culpepper said. “He always has his bases covered. They work real well with us, and we work well with them.”

Culpepper thought Smith”s 10-month schedule was appropriate given the size of the proposed development.

“With the last project, they moved at a pretty good pace,” Culpepper said. “They were pouring slabs about two or three a week. From what I understand, they buy quite a bit of material here, so that”s good for business. If he does anything like he did the last project, I wish he”d do a lot more in our county.”

Culpepper said the building inspections office has received 28 more housing permit requests than last year. The year 2009, in turn, was down by 62 permits compared to 2008.