Alachua County is trying their hand at the real estate business to help stabilize the local housing market.
The county's growth manage division has been given 2.9 million dollars as part of the federal neighborhood stabilization program.
The program allows individual cities and counties to purchase homes in highly foreclosed areas, rehabilitate them and sell them to low or moderate families.
After improvements, the home's are typically valued thousands of dollars higher, which helps keep property values in the area stable in addition to offering families an affordable option when shopping real estate.
The county has purchased 9 homes through the program and currently has three for sale, for more information visit Office Of Growth Management.