Fleet Street duplex groundbreaking held in Rockville

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Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland held a groundbreaking ceremony Friday for a duplex residential unit in Rockville in hopes of providing two affordable homeownership opportunities. 

Community members joined the nonprofit‘s leadership, along with city and county officials, including Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, to commence a public-private partnership, the organization announced Wednesday.

The land on which the duplex will be built was donated by the county, according to Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland, who will be responsible for constructing the unit. 

Dubbed the Fleet Street project, the homes will feature a universal design on the first level with additional bedrooms on the second level and will be sold to applicants earning less than 65% and 50% of the area median income, according to a news release. 

“We are really excited about this opportunity to build affordable housing in Rockville,” President and CEO Jeffrey Dee said in a statement.

“Our Fleet Street project demonstrates how local jurisdictions can leverage publicly owned properties to provide more affordable housing through partnerships with local non-profits, who provide the expertise and financing. We are happy to also be partnering with the Montgomery County Green Bank and Clark Construction to turn this piece of land into housing for two families.”

Habitat officials said the organization plans to build the homes in partnership with the community and, as a lender, will provide affordable mortgages to the future homeowners.

According to a news release, the City of Rockville approved Habitat for Humanity to receive Community Development Block Grant. Financing from the Montgomery County Green Bank and in-kind donations will also fund the community project.

Applications to purchase the duplex units are expected to open in this summer, the nonprofit confirmed.

“The Fleet Street duplex will provide safe, accessible, affordable housing and build generational wealth for families who otherwise may not have had the opportunity to purchase a home,” Elrich said. 

“Donating the Fleet Street property and having Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland as our development partner enables us to offer affordable homeownership for families who may be facing rising rents, stagnant wages, and housing insecurity.” 

This story has been updated.