Affordable, eco-friendly homes going up in new Beach Creek subdivision off North Mountain Avenue
By Nick Morgan, Rogue Valley Times
Habitat for Humanity Rogue Valley broke ground on two Ashland lots this week for a pair of affordable, eco-friendly homes at a new subdivision off North Mountain Avenue.
It continues a building spree across Jackson County that the affordable housing nonprofit hopes will lead to 15 new homes within the next two years, according to Operations and Program Director Brandon Thoms. In addition to the Ashland project, Thoms said that the organization is building in Rogue River and Medford neighborhoods.
Excavation crews started Jan. 2 on the two lots in Ashland’s new Beach Creek subdivision, which were donated to the local Habitat for Humanity by the subdivision’s developer, KDA Homes.
The groundbreaking came after close to a year of “hiccups and delays” waiting for the lots, according to Thoms. He said the families selected for the two homes have been waiting for the better part of a year.
“There was no ceremony,” Thoms said. “We’re out there moving dirt.”
The groundbreaking also marks the first time in roughly two decades that the affordable housing nonprofit has built in Ashland, according to earlier Rogue Valley Times and Oregonian/OregonLive reports.
Thoms said that Habitat for Humanity hopes to have foundations completed “well within the next 60 days.”
Once the foundations are complete, the organization will hold wall-raising ceremonies and send volunteers to the job site.
Thoms was reluctant to provide a timeline when the homes will be completed, citing the number of delays in the two homes already.
“There’s so many factors that can go into this process,” Thoms said.
Volunteers won’t be needed until around the wall-raising ceremony, but Thoms said that Habitat for Humanity is inviting new volunteers now so they can get their orientations and other certifications done and out of the way. Those interested in volunteering should see roguevalleyhabitat.org/volunteer or call 541-779-1983.
Reach reporter Nick Morgan at nmorgan@rv-times.com or 458-488-2036. This story first appeared in the Rogue Valley Times.
