TRAVERSE CITY -- The Traverse City Housing Commission hopes to build new housing for those in need, and they're moving ahead with exploring their options. The housing commission operates two properties - the Orchardview Apartments just west of Traverse City and the Riverview Terrace apartments on West Front Street. Both properties are at or near capacity, and both also have a lengthy waiting list. That's why the commission is exploring its options.
Ilah Honson is the Director of the Housing Commission. She says there are a number of factors to consider. "Is it feasible, number one? If it's feasible what would we be looking at in terms of funding streams to build it? The federal government has no money for public housing anymore. So where would we go to obtain funding? So that's one of the things the feasibility will help us figure out." The Housing Commission already hired a private firm to explore some possible sources of funding.
Collin Jurkovich, who is a housing commissioner and also a resident at Riverview Terrace, says the feasibility study is important to determining what kind of housing is needed, and how it can be paid for. "We want to keep the community involved, all along the way, to make sure we do what TC needs. From our perspective we see a need for family dwellings, single dwellings as well. So we want to make sure gets what it needs."
The Housing Commission is considering building additional housing in the parking lot of Riverview Terrace Apartments, in part because they wouldn't have to buy new land for development. The property was built in 1976 with room to expand, although during construction parking could be a concern. The feasibility study will have to come up with sources of revenue, which could include the MI State Housing Development Authority, or Brownfield Redevelopment Funds.
