Habitat for Humanity of Douglas County broke ground on Summer Meadows, the first affordable housing neighborhood in Alexandria since 2002 and the largest project in the 27-year history of the organization.
Located adjacent to Summer Meadows Park in Alexandria, the development will allow 42 homes to be built over the next 10 years, with four to five homes built each year. Sidewalks exist on both sides of the street with trees to enhance the interconnectedness of neighborhoods allowing easy access to bike trails and a buffer of native plantings.
Why Summer Meadows?
Homeownership is about stability, health, and opportunity. Owning a home allows families to build wealth, invest in their children's education, and contribute more meaningfully to our community.
In 2023, the City of Alexandria Housing Update painted a clear picture: there's a significant affordability gap in our community. Home values are rising faster than incomes, and we desperately need more affordable options. The study calls out the need for 8 to 10 affordable homes built annually, and recognized Habitat as well-positioned to meet this need.
City of Alexandria and AAEDC Support
At the June 26, 2023, meeting, the Alexandria City Council approved a request from Habitat for a planned unit development on existing vacant property. Through partnership with the Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission (AAEDC), Habitat applied and was approved for tax-increment financing (TIF) from the Alexandria City Council. “We’re thrilled the city has chosen to support our efforts to create affordable homeownership opportunities through this development,” stated Lori Anderson, Habitat’s Executive Director. Heather Smith Ahrens, Director of Operations at Habitat added, “By having a partnership with the city, we’ll be able to move forward with our goal of building four to five homes a year and perhaps even accelerate that as the need continues.”
About the Homes
The homes of Summer Meadows will feature two-, three-, and four-bedroom homes ranging in size from 1,000 to 1,400 square feet utilizing five different house plans that include two-stall garages. Homes will be built slab-on-grade with in-floor heat to optimize energy efficiency and upgraded exteriors with stone veneer and porches.
The houses of Summer Meadows
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Summer Meadows in the Media
- "In Alexandria, federal and local policy decisions make homeownership possible." - August 7, 2025, Minnesota Reformer
- "We Should Appreciate Alexandria's progress" - Aug 16, 2024, Echo Press
- "Summer Meadows Housing Development Helps Bridge Alexandria's Affordability Gap" - July 23, 2024, USDA
- Habitat Breaks Ground on Historic Affordable Housing Development - July 11, 2024
- Breaking New Ground: Celebrate Summer Meadows Ground Blessing with Habitat - June 24, 2024
- Habitat's Aim to Solve Affordable Housing - November 20, 2023
Your Support for Summer Meadows
Together, we can build a brighter future for Douglas County. A future where everyone has the opportunity to own a home, to feel secure, and to contribute to a thriving community. Like our future homeowners, Habitat for Humanity of Douglas County is dreaming big and courageously broadening our horizons to serve more people. Homeownership is a life-changing opportunity, and made possible with you: a community that believes we can do better.
Our Generous Supporters
