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Past Projects : 2004 - 2007 : Community Outreach Partnership Center (COPC) Housing Futures Demonstration—Case study prototypes
The HUD-funded Affordable Housing Initiative brings together the Greater Frogtown Community Development Corporation, the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, a team from the University of Minnesota's Department of Architecture, Center for Sustainable Building Research, Cold Climate Housing Program, and the Design Center.
This project targets a critical gap in affordable housing for those between the 40-60% median income level. The goal of the project is to develop ten prototype homes that integrate affordability with sustainable design, healthy construction, social and cultural responsiveness, and design excellence. In phase one of the project the Design Center contributed prototype yard designs for the first house, and these were modified before construction to reflect the preferences of the first resident.
The Design Center's tasks in phase two include:
- Soliciting public input on design options at the Taste of Frogtown and Hmong Festival of Arts and Talents (2004)
Download: Summary of public input (1.6MB) - Helping construct yard one (2004)
- Conducting a focus group evaluation of the first house (2004)
- Providing input on house designs (2004-2006)
- Designing a basic structure for yards for all homes and helping oversee work (2004-2006). Residents then undertake more detailed work using educational materials (below)
- Developing a series of handouts on sustainable yard design aimed at residents on a budget (2005)
The Affordable Housing Initiative is part of a larger housing effort coordinated by the Greater Frogtown Community Development Corporation (GFCDC) entitled Project 20/20, which has the ultimate goal of developing 20 demonstration-housing units in the Frogtown neighborhood of St. Paul, Minnesota.
This project is funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of University Partnerships.
Status: Complete
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1 Ralph Rapson Hall, 89 Church Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455, |