Thrive Allen County wants to change its focus on a grant intended to spur housing construction on lots throughout the county.
The state gave the county $50,000 as part of a Moderate Income Housing grant to allow Thrive to purchase lots for housing development.
Turns out the state expected the county to build between 10 to 12 homes. That’s not likely to happen, Jonathon Goering, economic development director with Thrive, told commissioners on Tuesday.
Instead, he worked with the state to come up with an alternative plan that would build just one house in Humboldt.
The grant would be used to pay an architect’s fee to design the home, along with marketing fees to two non-profit groups and some construction costs. A private entity, whom Goering did not name, would fund the majority of construction, contributing about $100,000.
The project would build a two-story home. The main floor would be finished, but the second floor would only be partially finished. It would include essentials like electrical, plumbing and heating and cooling, but the owners would need to finish the floors and paint the walls.
Goering estimated the main floor would be about 1,100 square feet.
Not finishing the upstairs will save costs and allow the house to be sold for less, in the hope it would appeal to more buyers. Goering estimated the house could be sold for about $140,000.
Commissioners had several questions about the project. David Lee, in particular, wanted to know how the $50,000 in grant money would be spent. He also questioned why the project needed an architect, as there are a variety of house plans available for purchase.
Goering said the concept was different, as the house would not be finished.
Commissioner Bruce Symes said he attended meetings where the plan was developed. “It’s not necessarily proprietary, but it may not have come about if not for the architect.”
Ultimately, all commissioners voted in favor of Goering’s plan.
“There’s been a lot of discussion about housing, but there hasn’t been a solution,” Commission Chairman Jerry Daniels said. “This is actually building a house.”
IN OTHER news, commissioners:
• Heard from David Gant about a property dispute with a neighbor, who has been blocking access to Gant’s field. Commissioners, Sheriff Bryan Murphy and County Counselor Bob Johnson all advised him it was a private civil matter that should be settled in court.
