Some Iowa Central Community College students will receive hands-on education on building single-family homes in a new subdivision on Fort Dodge’s north side in the coming years.

On Tuesday, the Iowa Central Board of Trustees approved an agreement between the college and the Fort Dodge Betterment Foundation for the college to purchase several lots in the Williams Bend Subdivision on 24th Avenue North.

“The agreement with the Fort Dodge Betterment Foundation is really exciting for us,” said Iowa Central President Jesse Ulrich. “Our construction trades and carpentry program will build a house a year in that development.”

Ulrich said the college is focusing on “high-quality, affordable housing” for families who will eventually purchase the finished homes.

Under the agreement, before August 2023, the college will initially purchase lots 23 and 24 for $30,000 each. The college will make a $5,000 payment at closing and pay the remaining $25,000 for each lot following the construction of the home and transfer to another entity.

The construction of the home on lot 23 will be completed by July 31, 2024. The home on Lot 24 will be completed by July 31, 2025.

The transfer of the subdivision’s Lot 25 will happen after the construction on the prior two lots are finished. The college will then have the option to purchase Lots 26 and 27 as well.

According to the agreement, the homes constructed by the college must have a minimum of 1,500 square feet of livable space on the main level and a minimum of 1,000 square feet of livable space in the basement.

The construction trades and carpentry students at Iowa Central are currently working on the new clubhouse at Harlan and Hazel Rogers Sports Complex. Ulrich said the students will begin construction on the first home in this agreement next fall.