Why Monroe County commissioners' $3.5 million plan for 70-home neighborhood fell apart

The county agreed to give the money to Habitat after the county abandoned a project to use $3.5 million in pandemic relief money to build 70 homes near Clear Creek Elementary School.

County commissioners announced early last year they were targeting an 11-acre property at 4810 S. Old Ind. 37 to build 70 homes with a local developer and Habitat for Humanity.

The county had planned to use $3.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds for infrastructure, including roads, sidewalks and sewer connections to reduce the cost of the homes.

Monroe County housing a campaign issue

The commissioners, including Julie Thomas and Penny Githens, announced the plan during election season. They got pushback from their primary opponents, who accused the commissioners of hypocrisy for planning a housing development in an area where they had previously rejected three privately funded housing developments over density concerns.