Haven on Main Accessible Housing Opens with Ribbon Cutting Event
La Crosse, WI – Haven for Special People, Couleecap, and the Gerrard Corporation hosted a grand opening and ribbon cutting event to celebrate the newly developed Haven on Main, a $24 million inclusive and accessible apartment complex in downtown La Crosse where adults with disabilities will live and thrive alongside non-disabled residents.
Haven on Main includes 70 units of 1,2, and 3-bedroom apartments of which 59 are set aside for income qualifying residents. Designed with accessibility in mind, half of the units are being leased with priority given to individuals with a disability. At the end of September, 50 of the 70 units were leased and residents began moving in on October 1.
Haven on Main was built over 12 months after a groundbreaking event last September. Since that time, community fundraising efforts, public input, and early leasing interest have indicated the urgent need for affordable and accessible housing in the city, especially for vulnerable populations like those with disabilities and seniors, as well as the local workforce.
For adults with disabilities who currently live with family members, Haven on Main offers a healthier, community-based option besides an institution or having to reside at home with parents who will eventually age out of caregiver abilities.
Haven on Main was the vision of Haven for Special People, a local group of parents, educators, and community supporters of adults with disabilities. After seeing a similar development in New Glarus called Prairie Haus, they knew it was a model that would work in La Crosse. Haven for Special People partnered with Couleecap, a nonprofit affordable housing developer, the Gerrard Corporation and Wieser Brothers General Contractor, to execute their vision for housing in an integrated setting for individuals with a wide range of support and behavioral needs.
The building features many opportunities for tenant engagement and connection. Haven on Main amenities include a gym with a basketball court, fitness center, library, salon, community rooms with kitchens, outdoor recreational area, and indoor parking and storage. The building is solar powered and built with high efficiency standards. Therefore, all utilities including heating, cooling, internet and water are included in affordable rents. This approach helps to ensure residents are not only secure in their housing but also energy secure, as energy poverty is a challenge for many low-to-moderate income households in the Coulee Region.
“We are thrilled to be opening Haven on Main and welcoming our first residents. Haven for Special People’s vision of people of all abilities living side by side, as part of one community, is coming to life. We’re excited for the positive impact this will have on our community, and in the lives of residents who will become not just neighbors, but friends,” says Jody Lyon, board member of Haven for Special People.
Haven for Special People will continue to support to the project by coordinating tenant events and activities and fundraising for ongoing needs.
“When we started the project, nothing like this had been done before in the La Crosse area. We asked the community to take a chance and support a vision. The community responded in a big way,” said Hetti Brown, Executive Director of Couleecap. “Haven on Main is a physical example the power of community when you align around a vision.”
An installation inside the lobby highlights the donors and contributors to the project, including the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), La Crosse County, City of La Crosse, La Crosse Area Community Foundation, ORC Sheltered Friends Foundation, Mayo Health Clinic, Michael and Brandy Rea Family Foundation, Cinnaire Solutions, Old National Bank, Merchants Bank, and many more.
“The housing tax credits WHEDA awards are one of many tools that help make affordable housing happen in Wisconsin,” said Elmer Moore Jr., Executive Director and CEO of WHEDA. “Haven on Main is the result of thoughtful leadership and collaboration between local government, healthcare organizations, local philanthropy, Couleecap, and so many others. This project stands as a monument to the success of working together and sharing knowledge to create real opportunities and lay the foundation for thriving Wisconsin communities.”
Project partners are hopeful the success of Haven on Main will inspire other communities to consider accessible and inclusive housing development designs to meet the growing demand for affordable housing across the country. Paul Gerrard of the Gerrard Corporation sees firsthand how many areas struggle with housing needs, especially for those with disabilities.
“No matter how large or small the community in Wisconsin, housing is a need. When I ask municipal leaders about housing inventory that is also affordable and accessible for people with disabilities, there are very few options,” says Paul Gerrard, Gerrard Corporation. “I could build Haven on Main over and over again and the buildings would fill.”
Paramark Real Estate Services is handling leasing and property management. Paramark has an office at Haven on Main. Anyone interested in applying for a lease can visit https://paramark.us/property/haven-on-main/ or visit the leasing office at 915 Main Street, La Crosse.
