The City of Minneapolis and City of Lakes Community Land Trust (CLCLT) celebrated the completion of the first two city-funded multi-generational homes in Minneapolis with a brief program and tours of the projects at 4700 and 4704 Bryant on July 29.
The homes were built by CLCLT in partnership with architect Marnie Peichel and general contractor J. Lewis Building & Remodeling as part of the City of Minneapolis’ Green Homes North initiative. Green Homes North is an effort to build 100 affordable, sustainable, energy efficient homes over five years in North Minneapolis to revitalize the neighborhoods hit hardest by the foreclosure crisis. The two CLCLT homes are part of the third round of Green Homes North project awards marking 56 towards the goal of 100 with 28 complete and another 28 in progress.
“The multi-generational homes provide a type of housing that has not previously been available in the Fourth Ward,” said Minneapolis Council President Barbara Johnson. “This is a unique opportunity to meet the needs of families who care for extended, aging family members.”
Each completed multi-generational home features a two-story main unit with 1,600 sq. ft. including three bedrooms, one and a half bathrooms and an unfinished basement. Attached is an additional home (or accessory dwelling unit) that offers another 500 plus sq. ft. with one bedroom, one bathroom and a kitchenette. The two living spaces are conveniently connected through French doors that open between the dining room and kitchenette areas. The two spaces also share a laundry facility.
“The City of Minneapolis’ Green Homes North initiative allowed the CLCLT a great opportunity to create two of the first multi-generational homes in the city utilizing recently adopted Accessory Dwelling Unit use designation,” said Jeff Washburne, Executive Director of the City of Lakes community Land Trust (CLCLT). “The creative use of the Community Land Trust also fostered an opportunity to tie long-term solar leases to each of the homes, further tying affordability to energy savings.”
In addition to being funded by the City of Minneapolis Green Homes North program, funding for these projects was provided by Minnesota Housing, Family Housing Fund and Twin Cities Community Land Bank.