More Flagstaff, AZ townhouses for $160K
The recent groundbreaking for the first phase of the Izabel Homes project signals a new milestone for the city-run community land trust.
In a partnership with local builder Loven Contracting, Flagstaff officials expect to have a total of 16 homes added to the land trust by 2015, offering one of the only paths to home ownership for local families making no more than 80 percent of the area median income. For a family of four, that would mean those making less than $49,200 annually would qualify.
Community Housing Manager Sarah Darr said the groundbreaking was a huge step forward for the community land trust, which was formed by the Flagstaff City Council in 2006. The Izabel units will be the first permanently deeded, affordable homes to be built specifically with the land trust in mind.
The city will be able to price each home between $160,000 and $180,000, with the city retaining ownership of the land and allowing the homeowner to purchase only the house itself. Read the rest of this page »
Downsizing
California residents resort to mini-apartments to live in hot areas
By Roger Vincent
McClatchy News Service
LOS ANGELES — Timm Freeman’s Santa Monica apartment has 17-foot ceilings, granite countertops and collector guitars hanging on the wall.
He’s got a built-in microwave, dishwasher and central air conditioning.
All in 350 square feet.
Freeman’s coffee table is also his dining table. His desk is three steps from his sitting room. And three paces from his stove.
“Everything is within three steps of the next thing,” said Freeman, 40, a graphic designer.
Southern California, meet the Manhattan-sized mini-apartment. In a region known for its sprawl, diminutive dwellings are finding a toehold among renters who couldn’t otherwise afford to live in choice neighborhoods. Read the rest of this page »