Community Land Trust & Community Housing Development Organization

3104 Logan Valley Road             Suite 300                  Traverse City, MI 49684

Phone: 231- 947-6001                                                        Contact HomeStretch

FIRST PROJECT

In 1998, HomeStretch obtained construction financing from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, the Michigan Housing Trust Fund, and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis to build its first project, a duplex located on Center Road in Peninsula Township, Grand Traverse County.  The land, a 1.5 acre parcel, was donated by Grand Traverse County.  Begun in October on 1998, each unit had 1,100 square feet of living space, including three bedrooms, a living room, combination kitchen and dining room, a full bath and a laundry/mud room.  Build by Eastwood Custom Homes, the duplex was completed in May of 1999 and the units now provide quality low-cost housing for income eligible families.

FROM EYESORES TO ASSETS

The next project saw the extensive rehabilitation and renovation of three single-family homes, one located in the Village of Mancelona, one in Benzonia Township, and one in the City of Frankfort. Although still structurally sound, these homes needed extensive reconstruction to return them to their former glory. The house in Frankfort was renovated by Tom Hirsch, Renaissance Development, and was quickly sold.  The Homestead Road house was renovated by Kris Hawkins, Brant Builders. The two story home, located on a one acre lot, included four bedrooms, living room with a handcrafted window seat, hardwood floors, and a two car garage.  In Mancelona, the three-bedroom ranch home was renovated by Daryl Walden, D & W Builders.

The Village of Kingsley was the site for the construction of a new single family home.  This home featured a unique steel frame construction. 

These homes made it possible for four families to fulfill their dreams of home ownership.
 

CROSS-TOWN AND BAY OAKS

In January of 2000, the process of obtaining the land that would be used for the Cross-Town homes began. At that time, Rotary Camps and Services began negotiations with the City of Traverse City to purchase property that the city had obtained more than fifty years ago for a cross town traffic route which was never constructed. The property had been declared surplus and in February of 2000 was sold to Rotary Camps and Services, who in turn sold seven of the lots to HomeStretch at a discounted price. HomeStretch also acquired three more lots from a private owner. During the summer of 2001 HomeStretch began construction of the Cross-Town project, ten-single family homes, built by Mark Salgat of S & S Contractors.  These homes featured three second story bedrooms with a full bath, and a spacious living room, dining room, kitchen, laundry room, and half bath on the first floor.  A covered front porch added a gracious touch.  Before the homes were even completed, each home had a purchase offer and a back up offer, demonstrating the need for affordable housing.  The first two families moved into their new homes in November of 2001, and the last of the homes were completed in 2002.

The year of 2002 also saw the completion of the Bay Oaks Townhouses. The two “quadplexes” have a total of eight rental units, each with two bedrooms, one and a half baths, and outside storage space. Begun in August of 2001 with Eastwood Custom Homes, Inc. as General Contractor, they were completed by March of 2002. Again, there were many more applicants than townhouses, proving that the shortage of affordable housing is still severe.

CARLISLE COTTAGES

In the year 2003, HomeStretch received a $875,000 HOME grant from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority and began the most ambitious project to date - thirteen homes built and sold in a twelve month period or less and two separate projects undertaken at the same time. 

The success of the two story Cross Town model home made it a perfect choice for the Carlisle Cottage development.  Five single family homes were build on Carlisle Road near Hammond, but as the homes were built on adjoining lots, a new single story model was added to vary the profile of the neighborhood. Designed by John Kittle of Design Depot and built by Mark Salgat of S & S Contractors, the new model was an instant success and the two homes built on that model were quickly snapped up by our first two homebuyers. A special effort was made to ensure that all of the homes were energy efficient and the effort was rewarded by a 5-Star Energy Efficiency rating for all of the homes. Both home styles include three bedrooms, one full and one half bath, a spacious living room, a dining area, a kitchen with refrigerator and range, a full basement, and an attached garage.  The location of these homes, in a rural setting yet within minutes of shopping and employment, made them ideal for families.

These homes have the distinction of several “firsts.”  They are our first homes to be certified as 5-Star Energy Efficient, the first homes sold under our new Waiting List process, and the first homes to be placed in our Community Land Trust.

MIDTOWN CENTRE - COURTYARD

The 2003 HOME Grant of $875,000 was also used to acquire eight Courtyard units in the Midtown Centre, a condominium development along the banks of the Boardman River in downtown Traverse City. Tim Burden of Midtown Centre, LLC offered HomeStretch the opportunity to purchase the units to be used to provide affordable housing.  R.E.D. Management served as General Contractor for the entire Midtown Centre, including the eight units built for HomeStretch, which are scattered through the Courtyard section of the development.

The Midtown Courtyard Condominiums feature two bedrooms, one and a half baths, an open living/dining area, a kitchen with range and refrigerator, a large deck, and a single car garage. Downtown and Old Town shopping, restaurants, beaches, the Clinch Park Zoo, and employment are within walking distance of these homes. Several of our homebuyers who work in the Downtown area have expressed pleasure that they can now walk to work.

The Midtown Centre Courtyard Condominiums were the second group of homes to be placed in our Community Land Trust, preserving their affordability for the future. 

KENSINGTON PARK EAST

October of 2004 saw HomeStretch break ground for the next development, Kensington Park East.  These townhouse style homes will be built in two phases of eight homes for a total of sixteen homes.  Located in a quiet, wooded area behind the Cherryland Center, these homes will feature three bedrooms, a deck, wooded backyard, basement, and garage and are close to shopping and employment. 

Phase I of Kensington Park East was completed in the summer of 2005 and all eight homes were quickly sold to eager buyers.  Construction of Phase II of the development began in the fall of 2005 with and was completed in early summer of 2006.  All of the homes in Phase II were sold before the end of the year, allowing the new homeowners to spend the holidays in their own new homes and look forward to summer with backyard picnics and gatherings of family and friends.

RIDGEWOOD

Summer of 2006 also saw the start of the Ridgewood development.  Located in the development of the Villages of Traverse City on LaFranier Road,  Ridgewood consists of four townhouse condominiums built on the Kensington model and four detached single family homes built on a new design. For the four townhouse condominiums, HomeStretch partnered with the FRAM Group, who built the quadplex on the Kensington model. HomeStretch purchased the four townhouses in December and is now offering these homes for sale.

The second part of Ridgewood consists of four detached single family homes built by HomeStretch in the Villages of Traverse City. Clearing of the home sites was completed in the late fall and construction began even before the snow finished melting. These new three bedroom single story homes were in demand as soon as the foundations were dug.  With a cathedral ceiling, pillared porch, shady yard, two car garage, and numerous stylish details, these homes were declared “perfect” by many who attended the Open House. Built to 5 Star Energy Efficiency ratings, these homes will help keep heating bills in check. The kitchen, as usual, is furnished with stove, refrigerator, dishwasher and microwave. These homes are the first to be built by HomeStretch to meet handicapped visitability standards.