Ready-to-build affordable housing coming to Guthrie

GUTHRIE, Okla. (KFOR) — The city of Guthrie wants you to build a home and they're coming up with a plan to help to build two and three bedroom homes that look like historical Guthrie.

"A lot of the homes in our original townsite area have that bungalow, craftsman style type design," said Dan Kassik, the Director of Planning for the city of Guthrie.

The program is called the BIG Initiative and the idea is to build and invest in Guthrie by including ready to build housing that doesn't go for a huge price.

"That was part of the criteria that he gave us, was that the home styles needed to maintain that, you know, early 19th century look the the craftsman style homes, that is so prevalent all through the city," said Jeff Fry, the President and Owner of Fry Design Company.

"One of the key issues that has been happening throughout not only the state but the nation is the rising cost of housing," said Kassik.

So, the city has plans to help build new houses while still making them affordable.

"It's going to depend on kind of the amenities. But these homes still could be built for under $200,000," said Kassik.

Kassik said the homes center around downtown Guthrie.

"Which will also obviously in time enhance the downtown because we'll have more residents and you have the walkability quality of life stuff that also falls within that," said Kassik.

The goal is to add more maintenance to town.

"This was meant to mature or enhance what we already have in place, and that's the infill part of it, is we can create some housing, diversity and new housing without expanding our resources, water, sewer, streets," said Kassik.

Kassik said for those interested, an application will need to be filled out and they would find a home that fits on the property to build on. A couple of days later, the city will issue a permit and building can begin.

For more information on the homes and get the application, click here.