Housing surge continues

Momentum continues to build on the Aurora housing front, with new single-family homes and duplexes adding much-needed inventory, much of it in the new Streeter Subdivision which is revamping the landscape on the community’s western edge.
Having identified housing demand as a key element to future growth for rural communities, local leaders began focusing several years ago on efforts to provide options at several price points. Those efforts are paying off in spades, which is most visible in a Streeter Subdivision that recently added a seventh addition into the city limits via annexation.
“We have continued to build out that subdivision with single-family homes and lot sales for custom homes,” reported Jannelle Seim, president of the Aurora Housing Development Corporation. “We also partnered with Arrowhead Construction to build out Highlander Lane, which will provide more lots for additional duplexes.”
Permits for three new single-family homes were issued in March of this year, reflecting an ongoing commitment to local housing development by Jeff Reed, who helped spearhead a major housing development in nearby Phillips starting four years ago.
“Jeff continues to be committed to providing quality spec homes to our workforce housing initiative,” Seim noted. “He has gotten in a groove of building and selling three and then starting all over gain. He has ‘reserved’ several more lots in the subdivision and will continue to build as long as it works for both him and AHDC.”
Since the concerted housing push began, 53 housing units have been completed, Seim reported, with seven more expected to be ready for occupancy this year. In addition, an 18-unit project for citizens age 55 and over has been completed in a partnership with Mesner Development.

Rural Workforce Housing grants
The impetus behind the housing surge can be traced back to 2021, when AHDC applied for and received a $1 million Rural Workforce Housing grant, which included a $1 million local match. Then in 2024, AHDC received another $1 million RWH grant on the community’s behalf, this time with $500,000 in matching funds.
“We have continued to revolve these funds to grow the workforce housing stock in our community and we hope it will serve us for many more years to come,” Seim said.
In the entire subdivision, to date, Rural Workforce Housing funds have been used to build 16 townhomes, 16 single-family homes, 12 apartment units, with additional lots sold for custom homes. In addition, AHDC has built another single-family home in Aurora, one in Hampton and one in Hordville, with four more going in this year on 9th and C streets. Four rental units are also currently under construction on 12th Street.
Within Aurora, new housing is visible in the Northridge Subdivision as well, located on Highway 14 north of the ballfields. AHDC is involved with those efforts, as is the Aurora Development Corporation.
“Northridge will hopefully continue to grow to accommodate those needing larger lots for higher-end homes,” Seim said. “Although that area is not managed by AHDC, nor does it receive any RWHF funds, it is an important part of the housing ecosystem for our community. There are plans for further expansion. The next phase will depend on interest and partnerships.”
Asked to look into her crystal ball and forecast housing growth for the year ahead, Seim said there are many factors involved.
“In Streeter, we continue to field calls about lots on a regular basis, although it has slowed down recently,” she said. ‘Interest rates have stalled a bit, and I think that will impact us.”
Driving into the Streeter Subdivision today from the Highway 34 entrance, what draws the eye is a new street -- Highlander Lane -- going in the newly annexed Streeter 7th Addition.
“The street construction will continue as planned with Arrowhead, creating more lots for development,” Seim explained. “Northridge II hit a bit of a sprint with lot sales this year, which will hopefully continue as people are looking to expand their homes on the larger lots that are available. Both of these subdivisions have expansion plans already in placing. Timing will all spend on interest and sales.”
Last year, the number of new single-family dwellings was 11. Over the past 10 years, the high for single-family housing construction (17) was set in 2017. Looking back over Aurora’s house-building history, permits for 469 homes have been issued in the past 30 years.