Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region shared this week that it will become “the sole management entity for the New Waves project,” a housing development currently under construction off Bugai Road near the base of Leelanau Peninsula. Previously, Habitat was collaborating on the project with New Waves United Church of Christ, but the church is no longer involved. Per Habitat, the change in plans will ultimately mean seven additional homes in the New Waves development available “for affordable homeownership.”

It was the New Waves church that originally got the ball rolling on the residential development. For years, the church owned the 20 acres on Bugain, initially with plans of constructing an actual church building there. But the New Waves congregation ultimately decided that the land could be better used for affordable housing, and teamed up with Habitat to bring that idea to life. The project finally broke ground last fall.

Under their original plans, Habitat and New Waves aimed to dedicate just half of the property – or 10 acres – to housing. The concept called for Habitat to build 14 homes on that acreage, in two- and three-bedroom layouts, with Habitat then getting six of the homes to sell as part of its affordable home ownership mission. New Waves would have retained ownership of the other seven homes and managed them as affordable rentals. The 14th home was reserved for New Waves clergy.

According to a Habitat press release, the church ultimately “found that the management and fundraising to build the seven rental homes is beyond the scope of their abilities.” Instead, the church has “decided to offer the seven additional lots to Habitat for additional ownership homes.”

“In an agreement with New Waves, and with 50 percent funding from the Leelanau County Land Bank Authority, Habitat has purchased the seven additional lots and will take full management of the project,” Habitat shared. The deal means that all of the homes in the development will now be made available for homeownership opportunities.

So far, Habitat has completed the first two homes of the New Waves project. The development’s first homebuyers – a family of five – reportedly closed on their home last week. A second set of buyers – a mother and daughter – are expected to be in their home by the end of the summer. Habitat is also underway on two more homes, which are slated for completion this fall.

Those interested in learning more about Habitat’s homeownership program can learn more about program eligibility on the organization’s website.