By Mollee Francisco 

A $1.4 million grant will help Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity acquire land in Carver and Scott counties for more Habitat homes. The funding award was announced on Nov. 20 at a Clover Ridge home recently completed for Habitat for Humanity.

The house, on Falkner Drive, is one of four new Habitat for Humanity homes built in Chaska. The families receiving the homes will move in later this year or early next year, said Sharon Rolenc with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity.

According to Minnesota Housing Commissioner Tim Marx, the grant money will be used to acquire land to build home homes in the area – an area that has “historically” been cost-prohibitive due to high land costs. To date, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity has built and sold only six homes in the two counties. With the money, they hope to close on an additional five properties by the end of the year.

“The state of Minnesota, through Minnesota Housing, is a significant investor in Habitat for Humanity, and is excited about this new investment in strategic land acquisition,” he said. “The new homeowners will have improved quality of lives, not only because of owning their own homes, but also by having access to jobs near their homes.”

“This landmark decision will offer Twin Cities Habitat the opportunity to preserve land for the future and partner with communities to reach their affordable housing goals,” said Susan Haigh, president of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity.