by Lauren Viska, Faribault Daily News June 17, 2025 Six area organizations are getting a…
CAC raising funds for emergency, workforce housing development in Faribault
By Chloe Kucera, Faribault Daily News
June 23, 2025
Lack of affordable housing and homelessness impact many communities. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, there are efforts and projects that can help.
The Community Action Center has launched Ridgeview Heights, a Faribault housing development project at First Street and First Avenue that will include six workforce housing units and two emergency housing units.
The CAC’s two current emergency housing shelters are full 365 days of the year, demonstrating a dire need of assistance for families in crisis.
“It’s really important to us that we house families with children to keep life stable for the kids, interrupt that cycle of instability, and keep them in school,” said CAC Community Resource Manager Becky Ford.
The six workforce units will be set at market rate to help sustain the emergency units and the assistance provided to help those families get back on their feet.
This project also benefits the environment. The development is designed to have net-zero emissions, which means the energy used by the buildings is balanced by energy produced from on site renewable energy sources. This will help combat climate change and lower the cost of utilities for residents.
“The energy-efficient and innovative building design reduces energy and utility costs by over 60%, ensuring rents are affordable forever,” said CAC Executive Director Scott Wopata.
Community and Economic Development Director David Wanberg said the development’s efficiency can serve as a model for other housing in Faribault and across the state.
Faribault residents have been supportive of Ridgeview Heights.
“The community has been really receptive,” Ford said. “It’s been amazing to hear people talk about their own experiences with housing insecurity, and they’re excited about this project because they realize that this is going to help people who are experiencing something they’ve experienced themselves.”
Throughout the project’s development, the city of Faribault has been a big collaborator for the CAC. The city donated the land for the project for $1, and the planning department has worked closely with the organization to ensure the project fits on the site.
The site the city donated has sat vacant for a long time, so Wanberg said having that land developed and having more affordable and emergency housing is a win for everyone involved.
Wopata said this project addresses multiple community needs.
“Ridgeview Heights is a very real and tangible example of progress on issues that often leave our community stuck,” he said. “Additional affordable, workforce housing and emergency housing for families with children on an under-developed site in Faribault is a win-win-win.”
The $2.5 million project is nearly funded, but the CAC is asking for community help to complete the remaining $170,000 of the $300,000 fundraising goal.
“Ridgeview Heights is about building a sustainable, community-driven response to families and children experiencing homelessness,” Wopata said. “It takes the whole community to provide this support. A monetary gift or pledge ensures this critical infrastructure will be part of our community for decades to come. After years of work, we’re so close and need this final push to break ground later this summer.”
LEARN MORE
For more information about the CAC’s Ridgeview Heights project or to donate, visit communityactioncenter.org/ridgeview-heights/. If you would like to host a small group to learn more and support this project, contact Becky Ford at gro.retnecnoitcaytinummoc@ykceb.drof.
Related Posts
