Kasson Twin Homes

Kasson, MN, is a growing community. Proximity to employment opportunities in Rochester, access to good schools, lower taxes, and a small town feel has made Kasson a popular community, particularly for young families and seniors on a fixed income. According to the most recent census data from World Population Review, Kasson’s population increased by 5.81% in 2020 with an average population growth of 1.11% annually. However, the housing stock is not keeping up with this growth, particularly the affordable housing stock. The majority of new housing in Kasson is market-rate new construction and are multiple or split levels houses. These homes are largely out of the price range for first-time buyers and unsuitable for seniors aging in place.

The median sold price for homes in Kasson is $330,000 according to Realtor.com. However, according to Data USA, the median household income for 2023 was $87,295. This puts homeownership out of reach for many families, particularly first-time buyers who don’t have existing equity in a home to leverage.

This is why the Dodge County Housing Trust reached out to First Homes to help. First Homes is a nonprofit that works to create and preserve affordable homeownership opportunities. We do this using the Community Land Trust (CLT) model. Through this affordable housing model, we are able to make homes more affordable and preserve their affordability for each subsequent buyer.

Through this partnership, we are not only addressing Kasson’s need for more housing but also creating perpetual affordable housing for generations to come.

By building eight new twin homes in Kasson and adding them to the Community Land Trust, First Homes is working to add more affordable housing to this growing community, while preserving the units’ affordability for future buyers. In addition, the single-story homes offer more options for seniors who want to age in place. This allows the eight new units to serve diverse buyers across the housing needs spectrum.