FOX 21 News, KQDS-DT

DULUTH - Affordable housing is becoming harder and harder to find in Duluth.

"We've recently lost the Kozy Apartments, which were for very low income people, about 36–38 apartments. We also lost the Carter Hotel which was about 28–32 apartments," said Keith Hamre, director of planning and construction for the city of Duluth.

And most recently, the Seaway has been condemned, which includes more than 60 apartments.

Some of those people may find solace in a new affordable family housing project in the city's old firehouse.

"It gives people that have a lower income an opportunity to rent affordably, a really quality apartment," said Jeff Corey, executive director of One Roof Community Housing.

The project targets working families earning between $20,000 and $39,000 a year.

The city says fewer places are being re-developed because juggling renovation costs with rent can be difficult.

"They're not going to charge the market rate rent which is about $700 or $750 a month. They're going to charge something less than that and that means they're going to have to find other resources," said Hamre.

The project will provide more than 40 multi–bedroom apartments in a historic building.

It also meets the city's goal of continuing re-development in its urban core.

Hamre said, "That's where a lot of our housing stock is now and where a lot of our infrastructure is."

"It's a lot of investment in the neighborhood and it's going to be a lot of folks that are going to be living there and spending a lot of their money in that area. That will bring good things for the neighborhood," said Corey.