Affordable Housing In Granite City, IL
Eight new homes were recently completed on infill lots to the east of downtown Granite City, IL.
Assistance was provided by the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act via the Illinois Housing Development Authority. The homes were developed by Justine PETERSEN.
The one-story house I toured was very basic, a good home for someone needing an accessible residence. Â Granite City, IL still needs to work on sidewalks and curb ramps so that a disabled resident living in one of these houses could reach the grocery store, bank, post office, bus transfer station and so on.
The model Justine PETERSON is using for the houses is interesting, an affordable rent-to-buy arrangement.
- Those eligible must be below 80% of the median income.
- Rent is $595.
- The current value of the homes is $150,000; after the 15-year rental tenure, the tenant pays 60% of the market value of the home at that juncture.
– Steve Patterson
To make the house truly accessible it would need for the sidewalk to ramp to the front door.
The accessible houses have no steps at the front or back door. Due to the sun I couldn't get a good exterior picture of these.
I understand the need for both affordable housing and for accessible housing. What's not clear here is whether or not public money is being used to essentially “give” new homes to lower-income residents. In 15 years, will these residents be in a position to pay for a new roof, new carpet, new appliances, to maintain the exteriors? Will they even be able to qualify for a mortgage? Part of the attraction of renting is that Mr. Landlord is responsible for these expenses (no surprises). One of the reason we're in the mess we're in now is that too many people bought into the concept is that everyone should be homeowners . . .
Stimulus funds were used to fund part of the project which provided jobs for the workers that built the houses as well as material suppliers.
This is definitely good to see, having grown up in Granite (and still having many friends there). Perhaps Granite City is on the verge of a comeback, and that would be very good to see.
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