Notes from the Field


"Land is a huge issue here in Denver, Colo. The prices are increasing dramatically, especially in our 'hot' economic climate. One can hardly find land, and what is available requires huge outlays of capital for infrastructure. Even with infill lots, within cities, infrastructure is not in place, and we are doing water and sewer line extensions, grading, curbs and gutters, alleys, cul de sacs, and in some places, roads. ...Due to the way Denver was platted in the early years, we are building on 25-foot lots and have to do creative house plans to accommodate such narrow sites. We are also building many duplexes this year, because with the cost of land and infrastructure so high, it is the only thing that makes economic sense. Our duplexes have a common wall and we build them so that each family has their own backyard. Some of the duplexes are single story, some are two-story depending on the lot size and number of bedrooms needed for the family size."


--Lynne Brown, director of administration Metro Denver HFH, Denver, Colo.



Reprinted from Habitat World Magazine, August/September 2000.
This article may not be reproduced in any form without permission.
©2000 Habitat for Humanity International