IOCP Celebrates The Completion Of Its Affordable Housing Development In Wayzata

A dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, June 23, will mark the completion of an affordable housing development IOCP spearheaded this past year in the City of Wayzata. Long a provider of emergency housing assistance and an advocate for affordable housing, IOCP brought together key individuals and organizations to develop Village Homes, a four-unit project at 170 Gleason Lake Road, across from Gleason Lake Apartments. Area businessman Steve Bloomer donated the land, and Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity served as the builder.

“This project is truly a product of our entire community,” said Kim Vohs, IOCP’s Housing Director. “The volunteers who provided labor and local donors made it happen. Thanks to their commitment, four families who otherwise could not live here will have affordable housing in this community.”

The ceremony is open to the public. Among the speakers will be U.S. Representative Jim Ramstad, City of Wayzata Mayor Andrew Humphrey, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Susan Haigh, and IOCP Executive Director LaDonna Hoy. After the ceremony, the new occupants will provide food, and tours of the units will be available. There will also be a special presentation for the families moving in. Rachel Poss, a 10-year-old neighbor, coordinated gift baskets for each of the families as part of a school service project.

Village Homes Development

Village Homes was built as two twin homes. Each twin home has a 3-bedroom and a 4¬bedroom unit. Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity sold the two units in one of the twin homes through its program to qualified buyers. IOCP owns the other twin home and rents those two units to clients who have been receiving housing assistance for more than six months.

The total cost of the Village Homes project was $925,000. The Wayzata Housing & Redevelopment Authority contributed $250,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. Hennepin County’s Affordable Housing Incentive Fund designated $195,000 for the development. From money raised through its annual Sleep Out event, IOCP contributed $50,000. Other funders include the Lipkin Family Foundation and the State Bank of Long Lake. Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity’s in-kind donations provided building materials and supplies. Teams of volunteers, which IOCP recruited from area churches and businesses, helped with construction.