Pokegama North
AICDC is in the process of absorbing seven parcels of land along 22nd Street East, 2121-2119 14th Avenue South and 21st Street East and converting the properties into three seperate lots for three single-family homes. This project will address the problem of a lack of affordable home ownership opportunities in the Ventura Village Neighborhood and provide a much needed development to the area as well. The homes will be located near the impacted Franklin Avenue commercial corridor and LRT station. Pokegama North translates to "lake beside a lake" in Ojibwe.
Potential homeowners will be 30-60% AMI; AICDC will be addressing the affordability of housing and more importantly maintaining affordability throughout homeownership. With energy costs projected to rise at an ever-increasing rate the greatest challenge to long-term homeownership is energy cost. The homes will utilize green buiding techniques to ensure energy-effeciency and reduce overall construction costs. Green building sustainable techniques are ideal for an American Indian family purchasing a home that is appealing and manageable.
To assist with the project AICDC is partnering with the Green Institute to incorporate more sustainable technology in the homes. The Pokegema project will become a model for other such projects and individual homes throughout the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. HUD officials have asked AICDC to use this development model to benefit Indian people in other areas of the country including Michigan, Chicago and the Carolinas.
Through the Self-Suffeciency for Urban Indians program AICDC is making housing more available and managable for American Indian families