Project Neighbors has bought several lots near Valparaiso University’s Heritage Hall to build four duplexes.

The $120,000 purchase is in keeping with the Project Neighbors mission to create affordable housing either through new construction or renovations.

“Over the years, we’ve built or renovated over 100 houses,” Executive Director Carmen Vincent said. The nonprofit has racked up more than 100,000 hours of volunteer service in the process.

The low price for the newly acquired lots on Locust Street brings down the price per unit to $15,000, helping make the project financially feasible.

Between those duplexes and a 23-unit apartment complex, Project Neighbors has enough projects to keep the agency busy for a few years, but it’s always looking for properties, Vincent said.

The Locust Street duplexes will be near other Project Neighbors properties and the nonprofit’s offices. It has a lot of success stories near VU’s old campus but it also has properties elsewhere, Vincent said.

The nonprofit rents to individuals at 80% or less of the median income.

“We have teachers, nurses, Valparaiso University staff, seniors, pastors,” she said.

“We build high-quality housing. We take a lot of pride in maintaining all of our units,” Vincent said. The goal is to have it look like other homes on the street, so no one can tell the difference between affordable homes and others nearby.

Project Neighbors has a long history with VU. Its predecessor, Valparaiso Builders Association, was founded in 1969 by VU football coach Walt Reiner and others. “We just have really neat ties with the university,” said Vincent, herself a 2020 graduate of VU.

“Many of our board members are Valparaiso University alumni and professors,” she said.

“The university respects the mission of Project Neighbors and was excited to be able to provide property that it was not using to move forward an initiative that supports affordable housing in the city,” said Mark Volpatti, senior vice president of finance and administration at VU.

Vincent said her time at VU taught her about servant leadership. “I was taught to wrestle with big questions and lean into service-driven work — values that align deeply with Project Neighbors’ mission,” she said. “Being able to return as a community partner and collaborate with the university in a new capacity feels like a full-circle moment.”

Site plans for the Locust Street duplexes are still being developed.

Since its founding, Project Neighbors has volunteered over 100,000 hours to the construction and renovation of more than 100 properties.

Doug Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.