Twin Oaks

Summary: Twin Oaks is a new Madison subdivision of 142 homes being developed by Habitat for Humanity of Dane County. Plans call for the Partnership to build 18 mixed-income condominiums on one of the multifamily lots within the development. Groundbreaking is set for spring of 2007.

Wisconsin Partnership's role: Co-Developer

Staff contacts: Michael Heidkamp, Dave Porterfield

Status of work: Ongoing

The Partnership recently purchased a multifamily lot in Twin Oaks, a new Madison subdivision being developed by Habitat for Humanity of Dane County. Plans call for the Partnership to build 18 mixed-income condominiums on the lot, with groundbreaking set for spring of 2007.

Located on a 40-acre parcel on Madison’s southeast side, Twin Oaks will consist of 142 new single-family and condominium homes. About 50 will be built using Habitat’s highly successful self-help, community construction process, which includes a rigorous family-selection process plus a significant “sweat equity” contribution from each family chosen. To complete the development, nonprofit and private developers will construct approximately 90 additional homes, including about 20 set aside for lower-income buyers. About 70 homes will be sold as market-rate housing.

For the Twin Oaks project the Partnership will again collaborate with Movin’ Out, Inc., a Madison-based nonprofit that assists people with disabilities in finding housing of their choice. A limited liability company, Acorn Homes, has been formed to carry out the work. Preliminary plans call for construction of 18 condominiums in nine buildings. At least three of the new homes will be fully accessible, meeting HOME program accessibility standards. Eleven of the condos will be set aside for households with incomes at or below 80% of area median. The remainder will be sold at market prices.

Twin Oaks is an ambitious project for Habitat for Humanity of Dane County, which had previously built about 70 homes over a 15-year period. The project is named for two old oak trees on the site, part of a central stand of oaks that will be preserved as a focal point of the development. The project will also protect a 10-acre wetland, which the city plans to encircle with a bike path in the future.