On Wednesday, Sept. 10, the Carver County Community Development Agency (CDA), the City of Carver, and other local leaders gathered to celebrate the grand opening of Carver Place, a new 60-unit housing complex designed to serve low-income families in Carver County. Located on Hartwell Drive and sharing a parking lot with Carver Crossings, the development marks a significant step forward in the CDA’s mission to expand affordable housing options for residents earning below the county’s median income.
For this project, the CDA donated the land and provided the sponsor loan. The complex includes a limited number of Section 8 units and housing designated for families experiencing homelessness. Funding was secured through a coalition of agencies, including the Local Housing Incentive Account (LHIA), Community Action Partnership (CAP) and the Minnesota Department of Human Services (MN DHS).
“This project is not only bringing 60 new units of affordable housing to Carver, but it also delivers on some of the goals outlined in our Housing Action Plan,” said Carver Mayor Courtney Johnson. “That plan is clear – our community needs housing that reflects the diversity of our residents’ lives – whether that’s first apartments, homes for growing families or places for people to downsize. Carver Place moves us closer to those goals.”
“Abundant housing options support economic vitality by attracting and retaining a skilled workforce, enabling local businesses to thrive and fostering innovation. They also promote social equity, allowing long-time residents, young professionals, seniors and newcomers alike to find housing that meets their needs without being priced out of the community they love,” said CDA Executive Director Allison Streich.
The ribbon-cutting also marked the 45th anniversary of the Carver County CDA, originally established in 1980 by the Minnesota State Legislature as the Carver County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (CCHRA). Over the decades, the agency’s objectives have expanded to include commercial development, county-wide marketing strategies, workforce and senior housing initiatives and long-term growth planning. In 2002, the Legislature granted Economic Development Authority powers to the CCHRA, which was renamed the CDA in 2006.
Streich emphasized the agency’s enduring commitment: “To foster vibrant communities where all residents have access to safe, affordable housing and the resources to thrive. With new developments underway and continued collaboration, the next 45 years hold even greater promise.”
Rental rates at Carver Place range from $1,057 for a one-bedroom to $1,464 for a three-bedroom unit. Residents are responsible for utilities, including electricity, phone, cable and internet.
The complex officially opened to residents on Sept. 1. As of this writing, more than twenty families have moved in, with approximately 40 units already leased.
“Not everyone needs, wants or can afford a single-family home. By offering quality rental housing, Carver Place broadens the housing options in our community. The residents who will call Carver Place home will not only be our neighbors, but they’ll be the folks we run into at our local businesses and connect with at events like Steamboat Days or the farmers market,” Johnson said.
For more information, visit carverplaceapts.com or learn more about the CDA’s work at carvercda.org.
