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Habitat for Humanity to Buy 727 Jefferson, Partner with City to Place Modular Home
Summary
The Wausau Economic Development Committee approved a partnership with Habitat for Humanity to purchase a modular home and sell city-owned lot 727 Jefferson Street to place the home, part of a pilot to expand affordable homeownership in a Wausau neighborhood.
The Wausau Economic Development Committee voted March 4 to approve a partnership with Habitat for Humanity to buy a modular home using Community Development Block Grant funds and sell the city lot at 727 Jefferson Street for placement.
Tammy Struts, a city staff member, introduced the proposal and said the effort grew from an earlier unsuccessful bid for a modular home on Bridge Street and contact from Habitat. Struts said the city would use its CDBG allocation to purchase the unit and Habitat would acquire and develop 727 Jefferson.
John Evans, board president of Habitat Wausau, said the nonprofit has delivered dozens of homes locally and described the proposal as a pilot. “We are very pleased on our working relationship with the staff and the city of Wausau,” Evans said, noting Habitat has completed about 73 homes and that recent houses in the area have been assessed near $200,000.
Tiffany Arnold, executive director of Habitat Wausau, said the group tested pricing from multiple modular builders and believes it is feasible to have a family in the house by the end of the year. “We think it’s very achievable for us to be able to have a family in that home by the end of the year,” Arnold said.
Committee members praised Habitat’s volunteer and trades-education work and discussed design and neighborhood fit. Alder Gesselman asked for designs that complement the older neighborhood; Arnold said packet photos show recent Habitat homes intended to be comparable to what would be built. Alder Killian and others thanked Habitat for partnering with schools and volunteers.
Alder Henke moved to approve the partnership and sale; Alder Tierney seconded. Committee members voted by voice; the motion passed.
The committee described the project as a pilot for potential future collaboration and noted a goal of having two homes in the neighborhood by year’s end if timelines and logistics work out.
