ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — Habitat for Humanity of the Quad Cities removed their approval to acquire eight new lots of land in Rock Island from the city council agenda just hours before the meeting on Monday.
"The city contacted me because they had vacant lots in Rock Island that they were not making use of in any way," Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of the Quad Cities Kristi Crafton said. " They asked us whether we'd be interested in taking them because they're near other lots that we already own."
Crafton said the long-term financial commitment and lack of financial backing for the city are why the organization was hesitant to buy more land.
"There's still a lot of money we have to raise. If the city can help us at all, by using different fund pools that they have, it just really helps us," Crafton said.
The organization already has 20 lots in Rock Island that haven't been built on yet. Habitat hasn't built a house in the city since 2019, and some lots have been on hold for over ten years.
"I don't know if we want to invest $5,400 a year until we're ready to build. And if we're not ready to build yet, we may choose to wait," Crafton said.
Building appropriate-cost housing for the community is essential right now, Crafton said.
"We're in a crisis. Affordable homes, whether a single residence or rental, it is out of most people's means," Crafton said.
The organization has progressed with the 20 other lots dispersed throughout the Quad Cities. It has been able to build on them with the help of the local government's financial assistance.
Habitat for Humanity has five houses under construction in Davenport that are scheduled for completion next spring.
"My dream is to do what we're doing on 6th Street in Davenport. To build in mass there and lift that neighborhood and make it attractive, have proud stakeholders in our community," Crafton said.
The topic will be on the next city council meeting's agenda.