New affordable housing apartment complex coming to Kasson

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(ABC 6 News) – Cities across the area have struggled with having enough affordable housing options, but Kasson is getting ready to tackle the problem with a new low-income apartment complex.

The 48-unit complex is slotted to be built right next to an apartment building already being constructed off of 8th Ave SW.

Ian Albers, the community development assistant with the city of Kasson, says all of the units will be aimed for low-income families. The units will range from 1-4 bedrooms.

“It’s based on the area medium income, but then within that there’s also options for high priority homelessness and those with disabilities,” Albers explained.

People living in town say there just aren’t enough options for affordable housing in town.

“People have to have affordable housing to get started,” said Kasson resident Leif Erickson. “We were all young once, and we had young families and were all trying to grow ,and it seems to me that somebody needs a place to start here in Kasson.”

The city has been working with the sites developer, Sand Companies Inc. to secure tax credits for the project from the Minnesota Housing Finance Department. The credits were approved in December.

The other goal with building the complex, Albers says, is to bring more businesses to Kasson.

“A lot of people who live in Kasson don’t actually work in Kasson. My hope, and the hope of the city, is that this option for affordable workforce housing will be a good catalyst for many jobs here in town.”

Residents say they are also ready for the community to continue to expand.

“It already is growing. There’s a lot of more expensive homes, but so we need more affordable housing, and to grow the area, add a few more retail things going on here would be good,” said Kasson resident Mike Nerlien.

Overall, many residents say bringing more families to town is a good thing.

The proposed name for the complex is Edge Apartments.

Albers says that the Minnesota Housing Finance Department still has a few more reviews to complete.

Construction is set to begin spring of 2024, according to Albers.