Investing in Homeownership
April 10, 2025 | By: Doug Cowan, President & CEO
An architectural rendering of the front and rear elevations of homes CSL will be developing for future homeowners.
Community Services League is proud, after more than a year of planning, to break ground on three single-family homes that will bring the dream of homeownership to three local families. About 10 years ago, CSL acquired a vacant piece of property next to its Noland Road headquarters in Independence, and CSL has worked with the City of Independence to rezone the property as single-family residential, and platted the land as a minor subdivision. The land is adjacent to other single-family homes along Farmer and Waldo streets in Northwest Independence.
CSL is a HUD-approved housing counseling agency with a specific designation as a first-time homebuyer program. Additionally, CSL’s Financial Coaches work with families to build goals around wealth and asset development to make dreams come true, including homeownership.
Bringing new single-family homes out of the ground is very expensive in 2025, and nonprofits can play a role in using their tax status to leverage community partners to reduce the cost of ownership. Furthermore, many families struggle to compete in the open market against institutional investors. CSL’s control of this development allows us to bring homeowners through the process. CSL, with approval from the Board of Directors is donating each lot to the future homeowner. Philanthropy is helping to reduce the cost of homeownership, making it an affordable proposition, and our goal is to help renter families own a home at a payment less than or equal to their current rental payment. Additionally, our building materials are designed to make the house very energy efficient and durable, thereby reducing the long-term costs of homeownership.
CSL is anxious to complete these first three homes, and looks forward to looking at more opportunities to bring affordable housing to families in the future. Follow our Facebook page for updates on the progress!
