It was a sight to see – a full, single story three bedroom home delivered in one piece to its destination here in Eagle Grove, where a new foundation awaited it. The house, sided in light blue vinyl and with a fieldstone pattern surrounding the living room picture window, was looking handsome as it rode atop a semi trailer to its new address. Soon to become a new local family's address as well!
Made possible by the Eagle Grove Community Development Corporation (CDC – not to be confused with the Center for Disease Control, which shares the same initials) the house was built and delivered to its new site on a previously vacant lot on North Garfield Drive at a cost that would have been impossible in a house built on site. That's partly because the construction using prefab techniques is just plain cheaper, but the bigger part of why the house was so affordable to build is that it was built by prisoners looking to learn new skills, so they can lead productive lives and earn a legal living following their release.
If the building of the home were done by journeyman contractors who charge higher rates, the cost would have been out of reach for most middle income families. But by having people whose lives have already taken a wrong turn build it, and while they're at it to learn a new trade that can get them back on the right track, the cost is also kept at a level that a working class family can afford.
That makes these homes a real win/win, according to CDC Chairman Jess Toliver, who is also the local Superintendent of Schools. The prisoner is given a chance to eventually become one of those high earning journeyman contractors themselves if they stick with it. The family that buys the home gets a good deal. The community gets more affordable housing for people to work in our local businesses, and make their homes and raise their family here. And society in general turns potential repeat offenders into respectable taxpayers earning a legal living, Toliver explained.
Delivered to the site and installed on the foundation, the house cost only about $90,000. With a garage to be perhaps built on site, and new sidewalks (the weight of the house broke the existing sidewalk) as well as filling in around the foundation, installing steps or porches, putting in a driveway and final landscaping would add more cost, but the final selling price on the home should be affordable, Toliver said. "We'll have to determine the market rate."
Watching as the home was prepared for installation on the foundation, neighbors Conrad and Marleen Kleppe were thrilled by the new home. "Very good idea," Marleen said. The pair, whose own property boasts the showcase garden on the block, asked Toliver whether the home would be sold or rented. "It has to be owner occupied, so we'll have to sell it to somebody before they move in," Toliver replied, adding that the rental restriction on CDC funded homes lasts for five years after the owner first purchases the home. And there will be a family income limit of $114 thousand a year, as well, Toliver also explained.
"So it'll be a family home, then," Conrad noted with satisfaction, "good."
Toliver noted that what the city needs is a vibrant community with plenty of housing for working families who form the backbone of the labor force needed by local industry and businesses. And while Eagle Grove has been growing in terms of its industry, the housing market hasn't quite kept up. "When it comes to housing this won't entirely fix the problem," Toliver acknowledged, "but at least we're making an effort to address it."
And after a year and a half process to get this far, where the first home has been delivered, Toliver was hopeful the process could be repeated, to put a bigger dent in the problem. "If this process goes well, we'll do more," Toliver concluded.
