LAND: Acquire lots for residential homes.
Land is the first component of housing: You cannot build a house if you do not have the land to build it on. This is more important in Marshall County as many lots that become available within a city are acquired by neighbors not to build homes but to build garages, use as extra parking, or for gardening purposes. Those lots that are available for sale are often overpriced and in locations not suitable for new housing. To combat this, MCP4G has developed a program to acquire lots for the expressed purpose of building homes. This will give us the flexibility to acquire lots by donation or at a cheaper cost which can then assist to lower the price of a newly built home.
Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP)
MONEY: Homeowner down payment assistance.
Money is the second component of housing. You must have money to buy a home. MCP4G has partnered with pilot program through the North Central Regional Planning Commission to offer a $10,000 loan at 3% interest for 20 years and a $2,500 closing grant for eligible borrowers. There are limited quantities available. Application is made through your local bank. Additionally, there are several incentives through the Marshall County Neighborhood Revitalization Act and the Marshall County Infill Revitalization program.
CONTRACTORS: Research, analyze, and develop alternatives.
Contractors are the third component of housing. Someone has to physically build the home. The lack of an experienced work force, high cost of building materials, and the need to make a profit have created a situation where new housing costs have skyrocketed past the point of affordability in most of Marshall County. MCP4G has taken the lead in researching, analyzing, and developing alternative solutions. Currently we are looking at Structural Integrated Panels (SIP) and prefab homes as possible solutions.