Breaking Ground on Habitat Townhomes

An empty lot in the shadow of the Highway 680 freeway will soon become affordable housing dripping with sweat equity.

Habitat for Humanity is planning to break ground on a 10-townhome project on Barkley Avenue in May with a subcontractor doing heavy excavation, including trenches for underground utilities. The carpentry work that employs volunteers and homeowners' sweat equity is due to start in late summer.

"We've talked to title companies, the city (of Walnut Creek) and it seems like we have the all clear," said Janice Jensen, president of Habitat for Humanity East Bay, based in Oakland.

Applicants are required to attend an orientation — scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 4, or Saturday, Feb. 11 — at the Civic Park Community Center Assembly Hall, 1375 Civic Dr. The applicants are required to commit to 500 hours of sweat equity per family to help build the units.

"We're looking for the kind of family that has a demonstrated need for housing," said Jensen. "We visit their homes, where they're living now … They need to meet income qualifications and demonstrate they are ready to own a home."

"We want them to be integrated into the community, a good member of community," said Jensen. "We tend to be picky … there's a preference to people who already live or work in Walnut Creek because Walnut Creek has such a dire need for affordable housing."   

Habitat for Humanity put together three parcels to design a 10-home development. The last parcel came from an anonymous donor.

The triplexes and duplexes, between 1,200 and 2,500 square feet, will be sold for $200,000 to $300,000, depending on the annual income of the purchasing family.