ST. CROIX VALLEY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OPENS PANTHER WOODS HOMEOWNERSHIP APPLICATION PROCESS

ST. CROIX VALLEY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OPENS PANTHER WOODS HOMEOWNERSHIP APPLICATION PROCESS

Preliminary applications are being taken for two twin homes Ellsworth, WI

Wednesday, May 7, 2025- (Hudson, WI) Preliminary applications for Panther Woods, a twin-home project in Ellsworth, WI, are now open.   St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity’s homeowner program is an opportunity for individuals and families who meet income guidelines, have housing need and are willing to partner on the building of a home.

The Panther Woods project is an innovative, modular twin-home development, supported in part, by a Congressionally Districted Spending award from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the office of U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (WI).

“Everywhere I travel in Wisconsin, I hear from families who are struggling to find safe, affordable housing in the communities they love,” said Senator Tammy Baldwin. “That’s why I was proud to partner with St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity to deliver direct support to build more affordable houses in Western Wisconsin, helping more families find stability, fueling economic growth, and fostering a vibrant community for generations to come.”

The project includes two sets of modular, twin homes, each with a shared wall, separate garage and unfinished, walkout basement.  The finished home square footage is 1,050 sq. ft.  SCVHFH partners with Habitat for Humanity of the Greater La Crosse Region to acquire its modular homes.   “As a fellow Habitat for Humanity affiliate, we’re proud to support St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity in delivering Wisconsin’s first factory-built twin-homes for Habitat homeowners,” said HFH of Greater La Crosse Executive Director Kahya Fox.  “With the statewide need for affordable housing growing each day, this innovative approach allows SCVHFH to build faster, smarter, and more cost-effectively—so more families can achieve the stability of homeownership.”

The Panther Woods project is being built on Panther Drive next to Ellsworth Middle School.   Panther Woods homes are modular homes, built in the traditional style of a stick-built home, in a manufacturing plant.  These homes feature modern appliances and finishes and will include an unfinished basement stubbed for an additional bathroom.

SCVHFH Board President Clark Schroeder, who also serves on the organization’s Family Selection Committee, has seen the responses to the open applications start quickly.  “We are honored to be the recipient of the funding grant and look forward to using it to help four new individuals or families attain the American dream of owning their own home,” said Schroder. 

Recent Habitat for Humanity research shows the average cost of starter homes has increased across the country by 55% since 2019.  Ellsworth is part of the Twin Cities real estate market, which has a median sales price of $381,200 as of March 2025, according to St. Paul Area Association of Realtors data. 

Preliminary applications will be taken through June 2^nd and can be found online at scvhabitat.org/open-applications

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