MARSHALL — The Marshall Economic Development Authority and the Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership are looking at working together to build new affordable homes on the west side of Marshall. Later this month, the EDA will hold a public hearing on the proposed sale of four lots to the Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership.

“It’s an opportunity for us to bring some more single-family housing online,” said Marshall EDA Director Lauren Deutz.

The Marshall EDA currently owns 13 residential lots in the Parkway II Addition, which is located near Channel Parkway on the west side of Marshall. The EDA is proposing to sell four lots in the addition to the Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership.

“They are working with a modular builder,” with the intent of building affordable homes on the properties, Deutz said. The lots for the proposed new homes would be spread out in the Parkway II addition, she said.

The EDA will hold a hearing on the proposed land sale at noon on Feb. 18, at Marshall City Hall. At the hearing, members of the public will have an opportunity to speak, and the terms and conditions of the sale will be available to the public.

Deutz said the Parkway II Addition was developed with housing in mind.

“Workforce housing was always a priority in this area,” she said. In the past, the EDA has worked with private buyers as well as organizations like Habitat for Humanity and United Community Action Partnership to sell lots in the addition.

“We’re not out to compete with land developers,” Deutz said. She said the community of Marshall has been fortunate in that it has land available for building new homes.

Housing development is an ongoing need in Marshall. A 2021 housing study done for the Marshall EDA found that there was demand for up to 140 new single family homes and up to 60 townhomes in Marshall between 2021 and 2030.