Habitat for Humanity Menominee Range plans to build up to five houses on this block of Roseland Street in Kingsford. The block is just off Hoadley Avenue. (Iron Mountain Daily News photo)

KINGSFORD — Habitat for Humanity Menominee Range in Kingsford has purchased two lots on Roseland Avenue from the city of Kingsford.

With this purchase, Habitat now owns lots 19 through 28 on the street.

Habitat is working with the city to develop the property so they can build five houses over the next several years, said Kathy Kulas, acting director. The lots are about 50 feet wide by 117 to 140 feet deep.

Habitat plans to build its first house on lots 19 and 20. They are next to a city-owned lot that provides access to the alley behind Roseland. Lots 19 and 20 angle out toward Hoadley on one side.

They hope to start this year, Kulas said, adding it would be the affiliate’s 52nd home, with 14 of them in Kingsford. The city must provide a variance before construction can start. A variance hearing is set for Oct. 7 on changing the rear yard setback requirement. Because of the topography of the property, the house will be built facing the alley. Habitat is requesting a 30-foot rather than 35-foot setback.

The property across the alley has no houses. There is one house on Hoadley, across from the city-owned lot, that has its driveway facing the alley. She hopes it will spur further construction in the area, even on property not owned by Habitat. Habitat began acquiring property on Roseland in 2013 when James Larson donated lots 20-23 and 25-28 to Habitat. The lots Habitat purchased for $1,000 were 19 and 24.

The block is heavily wooded, but Kulas said they intend to keep some of the trees near the Roseland side of the property.

Habitat is currently seeking qualified families for houses. Applicants must meet three requirements, Kulas said.

The current living situation must be either overcrowded, over-income or physically bad. “There has to be a need for different housing,” she said.

Second is ability to pay. “Our families do buy their houses with a mortgage. It’s affordable, but they still make payments. We serve low-income families,” Kulas said. They must meet 60% of HUD annual median income levels.

Thirdly, they must have the ability to partner. “That’s the sweat equity, which is volunteer labor toward the house construction, or in the ReStore or the office,” she said. “Usually that’s the funnest part for the family.”

Habitat works with the family during planning stages to try make the house suit the family’s needs. The 51st house, which was completed in August in Norway, has a child with special physical needs, so they made sure the house had the necessary outlets and a wheelchair-accessible shower.

Habitat has been building houses in the area for 30 years. They will have a 30-year anniversary of building celebration picnic from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, in the pavilion at First Presbyterian Church, 395 Hamilton Ave. Food and refreshments will be available.

In the walled area of the pavilion, they will have storyboards showing 30 years of building history.

“Let’s get together and celebrate our 30 years of building,” Kulas said. “Come and share memories, see where we’re going, see where we’ve been.”

For more information on Habitat for Humanity Menominee Range, call the office at 906-779-5377.