SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Nehemiah Expansion, Inc. was started in 1999 with the construction of a daycare center on Springfield's east side. The nonprofit expanded to building affordable homes, and now owns 80 new construction, single-family rental properties.
In late June, the non-profit broke ground on 40 more homes, which will be offered to households earning less than the Area Median Income. These include:
- 16 units for households earning less than 60 percent of the Area Median Income ($51,540 for a family of 3 in Sangamon County)
- 14 units for households earning less than 50 percent of the Area Median Income ($42,950 for a family of 3 in Sangamon County)
- 10 units for households earning less than 30 percent of the Area Median Income ($25,770 for a family of 3 in Sangamon County)
"According to the City of Springfield and the government, affordable housing is at an all time high for shortages," said Reverend Silas Johnson, the President and CEO of Nehemiah Expansion Inc. "I was talking to a lady yesterday who was saying that she's been trying to get affordable housing, and they just didn't have any available. So this will help us provide a need in our neighborhood that we really, really need."
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Families that are selected to live in the homes pay rent for 15 years, then are given the opportunity to purchase the property. The first set of renters through the Nehemiah Expansion is now eligible to purchase their homes, and several plan to.
"Any time opportunity is given to own a home one day, it's a beautiful thing," said Ward 3 Alderman Roy Williams. "It's a great thing for Springfield and it's a big part of building stronger communities."
Both Williams and Johnson say these new houses usually inspire nearby homeowners to take better care of their homes' exteriors and things like landscaping.
The forty houses are spread throughout Wards 2 and 3. They are anywhere from two to four bedrooms, and all have two car garages and yards.
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