Six new Habitat for Humanity homes are being built in Maple City, and the organization is holding info sessions this month to find homeowners. 

The Leelanau County Land Bank Authority purchased the Maple City parcel from the Flaska family, and Habitat For Humanity entered an agreement as the developer of new affordable housing on the site.

The 2-acre parcel, where a Dollar General had once been proposed, is at the crossroads of County Roads 616 and 667, and walkable to all Maple City amenities.

Thomas Kachadurian, communications and marketing manager for Habitat for Humanity - Grand Traverse Region, says an architect is working now to maximize the parcel and to create “homes that are really livable — somewhere the owners can build a life, and live for a long time.”

He says the plan is likely for six homeownership opportunities in three townhouse structures, whose shared wall will be a garage. Habitat’s goal is to build all the townhomes in the spring and summer of 2021.

Kachadurian says, “Our goal is to start — COVID-19 notwithstanding — the minute the ground thaws in April 2021. The construction will be pretty lickity-split; as with many things in the Habitat world, that is because of our great, great volunteers.”

He adds that the homeowners, who also participate in the build, are usually most struck with the community and volunteer effort. “They feel it,” he says. “They say, ‘Wow, all of these people came out and helped me get this house.’”

Habitat for Humanity – Grand Traverse Region offers opportunity for homeownership to those with the ability to pay an affordable mortgage, whose income is 30 to 80 percent of the area’s median income.

Interested homeowners can register for one of the information sessions offered this month. 

Kachadurian says, “We get them financial education and home ownership classes. We help people get their credit ready, we help with down payment assistance, and we put a mortgage together. The housing payment — mortgage, insurance and taxes — is not more 30 percent of their income.

Habitat for Humanity is also starting a new build on Olivia Drive in Maple City. Kachadurian says the new owner is working in Traverse City full time, purchasing her first home and now able to move out of her parents’ home. The groundbreaking is on August 18 at 6pm.