A true partnership

In an age where rural communities face ever-increasing challenges around housing affordability, it’s heartening to see Aurora turning challenge into opportunity with the announcement of the Singh Subdivision — a collaborative effort that embodies what it means to be a community.
This new housing development, soon to rise on a 2.8-acre parcel at the south end of 9th Street, is far more than a construction project. It’s a testament to what can be accomplished when neighbors care, local businesses step up, and civic leaders listen.
The spark behind this initiative came from none other than Ravi Singh, a longtime 9th Street resident who saw not just the potential of a vacant lot, but the future of his neighborhood. When talk of rezoning the land for commercial use arose, Singh and his neighbors spoke up — not merely to complain, but to suggest something better. Their vision was simple: homes, not storefronts, at least on this small stretch of street.
Singh didn’t stop at ideas. He reached out, rallied his neighbors, and made connections — first with Jannelle Seim of the Aurora Housing Development Corporation (AHDC), and finally with BonnaVilla Homes, a local company with deep roots and a history of investing in Aurora’s future. With support from the City of Aurora, the idea found legs, and more importantly, momentum.
The result is a unique three-way partnership between Singh, AHDC, and BonnaVilla, now greenlit by the Aurora City Council. The development will bring four new, high-quality single-family homes to the west side of 9th Street, each thoughtfully designed, energy-efficient, and targeted to remain affordable for working families. The goal is to keep pricing below $300,000, a meaningful benchmark in today’s market.
This is localism in action: homes manufactured by a local employer, financed with help from a state grant received in part based on local matching funds, and spearheaded by a local resident, all coming together with the support of local government. It’s a blueprint for how rural communities can address housing needs without sacrificing character, cohesion, or quality.
What makes this story particularly inspiring is the humility and collaboration at its core. Singh didn’t set out to become a developer. He simply wanted his neighborhood to remain a place where families could thrive. BonnaVilla didn’t enter the project for profit alone. GM Mike Morrow saw a chance to invest in the company’s hometown and help address a shared challenge. AHDC stepped up to connect the dots, provide funding, and help ensure that the vision became a reality.
To all those involved, thank you. Aurora is building more than houses here. You’re building hope, belonging, and a future we can all be proud of.
-- Kurt Johnson