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City of Brooklyn Park partners with Habitat for Humanity (Sun Newspapers) |
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Brooklyn Park residents may soon see 20 new Habitat for Humanity homes in their community.
The Brooklyn Park Economic Development Authority approved an agreement with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity Sept. 10. The EDA will allocate up to $400,000 in Minnesota Housing Finance Agency grants to assist in the acquisition of the new homes.
Habitat for Humanity constructs affordable attached and detached homes using a model that incorporates volunteers, donations and partnerships.
Three sites are proposed for the Habitat build sites: a portion of the Ryland Homes Town Gardens and Village Creek developments, along Zane Avenue south of Brooklyn Boulevard; the existing Wickford Village Development, southwest of 97th and Regent avenues; and the Welk property at 7709 89th Ave. N.
"We think these sites fit the city's plan for development," said Bob Schreier, director of Community Development.
The pending demolition of Huntington Pointe Apartments, 7454 Brooklyn Boulevard, will trigger the city's Affordable Housing Replacement Policy, which will require the city to replace 293 bedrooms within five years.
Habitat houses must be sold to qualified buyers, defined as a person or family with incomes equal or less than 80 percent of the median area income.
If Habitat builds 20 homes, the projects could replace 60, or 20 percent, of the needed replacement bedrooms, said Kim Berggren, development project manager.
Not all council members agreed with the proposal, however. Councilmembers Jeff Lunde and Rich Gates dissented in the 4-2 vote.
Lunde and Gates said they supported an agreement with Habitat, but not the proposed locations.
Lunde said the Wickford Village development was approved as a high-end development and the agreement changes the plans.
"I don't support backfilling current developments," he said. "Affordable housing needs to be part of the comprehensive plan."
Gates said he would prefer if Habitat worked in more dilapidated neighborhoods and replaced existing single-family homes scattered throughout the community, rather than work on new developments.
City Manger Doug Reeder said the Habitat for Humanity homes will be built exactly the same as other homes in the pre-approved developments with the same materials.
The cost savings that makes the units affordable comes from the sweat equity the new homeowners are required to contribute and the grant subsidy from the EDA for land acquisition, Reeder said.
"Adding Habitat to the Wickford Village is a good partnership and [Habitat] has a good reputation; they will bring good families to Brooklyn Park," said Councilmember Terry Gearin.
The process began in November 2006 when the city received $2.1 million over three years in loan/grant funds through a Housing Resources Pilot Agreement with MHFA - which must approve the plans as a qualified project before the money can be allocated.
Berggren said the Habitat project would represent 19 percent of the total MHFA money available in addition to meeting some affordable housing replacement requirements.
Those interested in applying for a Habitat for Humanity home, or in volunteering for the organization, can contact the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity office at 612-331-4090.
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