$2.5 Million Approved For 10 New Affordable Homes in Rochester

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - Bigelow Homes has been awarded the contract to construct 10 affordable single-family homes in southeast Rochester.

The Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority Board voted Tuesday to select the long-established local homebuilder to the develop the residences on some currently vacant lots recently purchased by the HRA for the purpose of adding to the communities inventory of affordable homes. Bigelow submitted a bid of just over $2.5 million.

“The development of these homes is a significant step toward addressing the need for affordable housing in our community,” said Olmsted County Housing and Planning Director Dave Dunn. “We are excited to partner with Bigelow Homes to bring these much-needed residences to Olmsted County.”

Get our free mobile app

According to a news release, two different styles of homes will be built on the lots along Red Hawk Drive Southeast. One will be a slab on grade design with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a two-car garage. The other houses will be split-level homes with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a two-car garage, and an unfinished basement.

The timeline for the project calls for the first two homes to be substantially complete by mid-November and the other eight homes substantially complete in early March of next year. The HRA says the finished homes will be offered for sale under the First Homes Community Land Trust.

Under that program, the land is owned by First Homes, while the buyer purchases the actual house. The arrangement reduces the cost of purchasing the home and allows the owner to build equity at the same time.

• Young Child Wounded in Shooting in Elgin
• WATCH: Home Near Overwhelmed Minnesota Dam Pulled into River
• Flooding Forces Popular Rides To Close At Minnesota's Valleyfair