Southeastern Community College (SCC) and Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission (SEIRPC) partnered to construct a home in Burlington.
SCC construction students gained valuable experience by working on major components of the home: framing, roofing, insulating, siding, windows, sheetrock and other similar items. Sub contracts, fund management, and other development tasks were subcontracted out.
SCC Construction Technology instructor Doug Riley appreciates the opportunity students had to apply their learning.
“Students got a lot out of experience out of the project,” he said. “Their contribution will live on for years as a family makes it their new home.”
A family of three purchased the house earlier this year and are set to move in next month.
The house features 1,400 square feet, 3 bed rooms, 2 baths, 2 car garage, an open floor plan and a finish-ready basement.
The City of Burlington provided the land. It had demolished the previous dilapidated home, giving SEIRPC's development arm, Southeast Iowa Housing, Inc., the opportunity to purchase it. Housing, Inc. focuses on building homes in southeast Iowa in partnership with cities on demolition lots to add value and strengthen existing neighborhoods.
A number of local businesses and contractors provided materials and services for the project, including Standard of Beaverdale, Jerns Heating and Air, Pro Plumbing, Hay Brothers Construction, Bessine Electric, Burke Interiors, Stew's Lawn Care, Pearson Seamless Gutters, Southeast Iowa Garage Door and Chalupa Concrete.
The house was built with financing and a development grant from Great River Housing Trust Fund, which makes investments into affordable housing in southeast Iowa.