ELKINS — Representatives from the HomeOwnership Center Inc. and Highland Community Builders hosted an event Thursday evening to unveil a range of new home designs available at the Highland Meadows neighborhood in Elkins.

Realtors, contractors and current Highland Meadows homeowners have provided input on the home plans, which range from one-level ranch homes to two-story options that are great for larger families.

The neighborhood, located off Wilson Lane, has more than a dozen new homes that already are occupied, and ready-to-build lots remain available, said Karen Jacobson, president of Highland Community Builders.

“It’s a really, really nice neighborhood, and we’ve been focusing on building ‘green,'” Jacobson said, explaining the homes are designed to be energy efficient, which results in lower utility bills for homeowners.

“That’s been a big part of it, providing a really nice, well-built, energy-efficient house,” she said.

Kate Somers, executive director of the HomeOwnership Center, said the Highland Meadows neighborhood offers the feel of country living with city convenience.

“We are pleased to be involved with the Highland Meadows neighborhood because it is filling a need for our customers who want to purchase a moderately priced new home in Elkins,” Somers said.

The HomeOwnership Center is a nonprofit organization that offers loans for home purchases and repairs, counseling on individual credit and budget issues as well as educational classes for people who wish to purchase a home.

Highland Community Builders also is a nonprofit organization, and its goal is to provide affordable housing development and construction services.

Thursday’s event, which took place at Vintage Restaurant in Elkins, included a “virtual ribbon-cutting ceremony” for the new home plans, as well as information about the neighborhood and refreshments.

More information is available by contacting the HomeOwnership Center at 304-636-9115 or www.hocwv.org. Information also is available at highlandmeadowswv.com.