The Housing Resources Board unveiled its plans for an affordable housing project on Ferncliff Avenue that incorporates several sustainable design elements. The plans received mixed reviews. Potential residents loved it. People already in the neighborhood panned the project’s potential impact on the area and its architectural style.
To read my coverage of last Friday’s unveiling and public meeting, click here.
Below you’ll find more design renderings and other basic information on the project.
Location: Ferncliff Avenue, near the Wing Point Way intersection. A third of a mile north of Winslow Way.
Property: 6.4 undeveloped acres. Donated to HRB by former city councilwoman Lois Curtis in 2007.
Housing types: 48 units built in two phases over the next four years. The two- and three-bedroom homes will range in size from 2,200 to 2,300 square feet.
Green features: Previous pavement, rain gardens and bioswales are aimed at reducing runoff. Homes will feature recycled materials and energy-efficient designs.
Housing purchase model: As a community land trust, HRB will retain ownership of the land and residents will own the homes. This model keeps costs low for buyers
Funding: About 85 percent of the project’s estimated $6 million design and construction budget will come from the mortgages of the project’s homeowners. The rest will come from private donations and grants. To date, HRB has raised $100,000 in private donations and obtained a $97,000 grant from Kitsap County.
Who qualifies: People working or renting on Bainbridge who earn 50 to 120 percent of the Kitsap County household median income, which is currently about $60,000. So, resident families would likely earn between $30,000 and $72,000 a year.
Building dates: Break ground on the first 24-home phase in 2010. Begin the second phase in 2012.
Below is an image of the project as seen from Ferncliff Avenue.
