Single mothers in Chaska are the focus of an affordable housing project being proposed along Yellow Brick Road.
The concept plan for The Inn — a development born of a partnership between The Community Asset Foundation and the nonprofit Beyond New Beginnings — was approved on a 4-0 vote of the Chaska City Council on Monday, Feb. 23.
Plans call for a two-story building, totaling 3,840 square feet split into four two-bedroom units. The land for the four-plex is being donated by DDK Construction of Chaska, a local housing contractor. The 0.32-acre property requires a zoning change to accommodate the multi-family structure.
According to David Pokorney, foundation treasurer, the building will be owned by the local foundation but operated by Beyond New Beginnings.
“Our goal is to develop a building that can serve young mothers who are housing stressed,” he told the council. “One of the goals for our project is to do something that not only provides housing, but it can be something the community, the residents and the foundation can be proud of.”
In partnership with the Carver County Community Development Agency (CDA), Beyond New Beginnings (BNB) kicked off its housing program for single mothers in 2019 when it purchased a four-plex in downtown Chaska.
According to Molly Koivumaki, BNB executive director, the West Creek Apartment complex offers an educational and support program night to help the moms learn skills as they become self-sufficient. West Creek “alumni” return for those program nights to help mentor the new moms who live in the four-plex.
“It makes all the difference in the world,” Koivumaki said of the mentors. “Life can be very scary. When they see the moms who have blazed that trail, it gives the younger ones hope.”
Koivumaki said the successful mentorship program, in addition to financial literacy training, will carry over to The Inn four-plex once it is occupied.
Koivumaki told the council there continues to be strong demand for more housing for single moms who are struggling.
“We have more families that need our help than we can accommodate,” she said. “We are very excited (about The Inn), because we know the need is out there and we know the difference that it makes for the moms and the kids. People are making progress. It’s an opportunity for a brighter future.”
Mayor Taylor Hubbard applauded the effort to construct a second apartment complex to meet the needs of single mothers and kids.
“I just think what you guys do is wonderful,” she said, “the impact that you have on so many lives.”
Pokorney said the foundation hopes to break ground on The Inn this summer, if the city gives final approval for the concept.
Total cost for the project will be about $1.2 million, he estimated. Funding is already secured from the Carver County CDA and there have been about $200,000 in private donations so far. Pokorney said a request for $394,000 in affordable housing funding from the city of Chaska would help get the project fully financed.
“I think this is great for the community,” Hubbard said prior to the council’s vote.
