MADISON, Wisconsin – Care Net Pregnancy Center of Dane County’s request for conditional use to construct a mixed-use building with 36 residential units and a daycare facility was unanimously approved last night by the Madison City Plan Commission. Care Net is seeking to develop an affordable workforce housing apartment building on the adjoining property, 1360 MacArthur Road, called Eagle Harbor Apartments.
Care Net Pregnancy Center of Dane County is a non-profit organization that has been serving the community for 28 years. They offer free and confidential help through medical services, education, a residential program and ongoing support. Since 2005, Care Net has been operating on Madison’s east side near East Washington Avenue and Stoughton Road. The organization realized a need on Madison’s east side for affordable workforce housing after hearing an overwhelming interest from women living in Care Net’s residential program, The Elizabeth House, for safe, secure, and supportive nearby workforce housing. Two graduates of The Elizabeth House spoke in support of the proposal, testifying to how these apartments would help others in situations like their own.
The name, Eagle Harbor Apartments portrays a beautiful Biblical image. God is pictured as an eagle caring for her young—protecting them in the nest, sending them forth to fly, and supporting them on her wings in their first flights until they can fly on their own (Deut. 32:11). A harbor is a place to refresh and repair before going out again on the sea.
A Safe Place for families
This “harbor” will also offer quality on-site infant to two year old daycare for working mothers and fathers, a community room, life and job skills training, financial literacy, parenting and relationship education, mentoring and professional counseling—all offered in the power of God’s love. Potential residents of Eagle Harbor will have mixed incomes and will be screened through Meridian Group’s professional and established apartment management systems.
“Eagle Harbor Apartments will be a safe, affordable place for families, singles, seniors, our clients and graduates of Care Net’s residential program, with individualized long term programming such as child care, financial classes, and parenting resources,” affirmed Care Net’s Executive Director, Liz Osborn. “It is our hope that Eagle Harbor will one day be a model for other cities for affordable, high-quality workforce housing. We will work together to make the city an affordable, safe and even better place to live.”
The next step for Care Net is to submit an application to Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority for Affordable Housing Tax Credits in February.
UPDATE – January 18, 2013
Care Net Pregnancy Center’s proposed development of affordable workforce housing, Eagle Harbor Apartments, was not granted CDBG funds at a meeting on January 17th. The City of Madison Community Development Block Grant committee, by a vote of two to five, rejected the recommendation of Madison city staff to grant $150,000 in HOME/HOME Match Reserve funds and $400,000 in Affordable Housing Trust Funds for Eagle Harbor Apartments.
“We are disappointed in the decision of the Community Development Block Grant committee tonight,” stated Care Net’s Executive Director, Liz Osborn. While we do intend to move forward with this development for affordable housing, if the development cannot be completed the real losers will be the 36 families who will not have access to this safe and affordable housing.”
Eagle Harbor Apartments will be managed by Meridian Group to provide a safe, affordable place for families, singles, seniors, our clients and graduates of Care Net’s residential program. It will also offer infant to two-year-old day care, operated by an independent, experienced daycare provider, and a community room.