Habitat for Humanity outlines 'double impact' duplex plan for Navarre Field property

Dave Craig, the longtime CEO of the local Habitat for Humanity, presented an informational concept to the Monroe Public Schools board to develop a portion of the Navarre Field property as owner‑occupied duplexes that include an attached rental unit managed by Habitat.

"What we're talking about is the property there, Impleasance, the old Navarre Field property," Craig said as he introduced the project and Habitat’s goals. He framed the proposal as a "double impact" model intended to reduce the subsidy per house by building a small rental unit that Habitat would manage; rental income would subsidize mortgage costs for the homeowner and the organization would retain long‑term mechanisms (99‑year rental option and buyback rights) to preserve affordability.

Craig reviewed rapidly rising construction costs and mortgage rates that have increased the capital gap since 2019, and described how the duplex concept is designed to build homeowners’ equity while using rental income to keep monthly housing payments affordable. He said Habitat aims to pair the model with supportive services (lawn care, snow removal) and would act as property manager rather than placing landlord responsibilities on new homeowners.

Craig said Habitat has secured interest from funders and that the Herrick Foundation has pledged a $200,000 matching grant contingent on the organization having property control in time for the foundation’s timeline. Habitat has begun title searches and acknowledged that some deeds for parcels within the Navarre holdings need clarification before acquisition.

The board treated the presentation as informational only; trustees asked questions about safety buffers near high‑voltage lines and next steps for title work and negotiations, and staff said Habitat would return with a formal proposal once due diligence is complete.