(La Porte, IN) - Plans to construct new affordable housing in La Porte were given preliminary approval last night, with the city’s Board of Zoning Appeals having shown their support for a request for new housing on Boyd Boulevard, Roosevelt Street, and Jefferson Avenue.

 

Developer Brandon Shields said the cost of the new homes would be reduced with money obtained from the sale of tax credits to investors. He added that the homes would be offered under a 15-year lease contract where rent goes toward the balance., and would be offered years later for sale at the easy-to-reach balance amount.

 

“You’re talking a $220,000 unit you may be able to purchase for $10,000 to $12,000 15 years down the road," he said.

 

Local businessman Jeff Mackey, who lives across from the site on Boyd Boulevard, spoke to the contrary saying that new housing would not be a good fit there because it’s an industrial area.

 

“It just does not seem a practical place to put families, children. There’s a lot of truck traffic,” he said.

 

Mackey said he has no problem with building new homes on Jefferson Ave. and Roosevelt St. since those are residential areas.

 

Officials said the company must apply for the tax credits under a state program aimed at constructing more affordable housing, which has become a major issue nationwide. The developer also must come back and follow additional steps like a site review of the blueprints at each location to obtain final approval.

 

There could be upwards of 50 new affordable homes constructed beginning possibly as soon as the spring.