St. Joseph Habitat for Humanity receives city backing
By Riley Funk
A construction project of four homes on Highland Avenue will move forward after the city approved funding Monday.
Bill No. 769-22 unanimously passed at Monday night’s city council meeting, meaning $249,689 will be added to an agreement between the city and the Habitat for Humanity. The project, which will cost $514,629 in total, will allow for the construction of the new homes at 1500 Highland Park Ave.
Clint Thompson, the city’s director of planning and community development, said the city partners with Habitat for Humanity to help find ways to revitalize older neighborhoods in town.
“The first effort is to preserve as many vacant structures as possible. But ultimately some of these vacant structures have to be demolished. And as part of that process, you then have these vacant lots that exist in our older neighborhoods,” Thompson said.
He said the partnership with the nonprofit is a great example of turning lots, such as the one at 1500 Highland Ave., into productive use and providing quality housing to residents.
According to city documents, each year the city receives funding from the department of Housing and Urban Development. This money is then put in the city’s Home Investment Partnership Program. The funds come from a combined money total from the 2022-23 fiscal year and 2023-24 fiscal year that is part of that home development agreement.
The purpose of the program is to develop affordable housing opportunities for low-income families. The city uses the funding to provide nonprofits, such as Habitat for Humanity, the means for the construction projects.
He said each zoning project is different, but they go through the same process for what the property will turn into.
“First option is to preserve as many properties as possible. However, the next best option is to redevelop that potential vacant lot with a infill development that fits the character of the neighborhood,” Thompson said.
Thompson said the project is an example of the city investing and growing housing near the Downtown area.
“It helps keep the development costs low and it provides a service that is needed in the community to address a housing shortage,” Thompson said.
