Thursday, September 28, 2000 Older Editions

Affordable in Andover: Nonprofit builds home

By Neil Fater

For years, the Andover housing market has been categorized by two words: going up. But the one thing that hasn't been going up is homes that could be termed affordable by the average buyer -- until now.

After eight years of work, the Andover Community Trust will have a cornerstone ceremony next Wednesday, Oct. 4, to celebrate the building of what they believe is the first private, permanently affordable home in Andover.

"Andover's become wealthier and wealthier and wealthier. Big homes are the rule," says Fred Stott. "This is hopefully the first of a statement that says to the community that diversity and a mix of income is (desirable)."

The modest three-bedroom home supported by the trust will be built on a small plot of land near the Andover/North Andover YMCA on Haverhill Street, says Stott. The land was donated by a developer.

"This has been the focus (of the trust), to acquire the land, to give tangibility to the concept," says Stott. "It's one of those things were people say 'Yeah, diversity's a good thing, economic diversity's a good thing,' but when it comes to actually doing it, it's a tough thing to attain.

"This represents the first tangible step that backs up the statement," he said.

Architect Spencer Johnson designed the home for free, and Greater Lawrence Technical School students will build it.

The project will be built and sold for about $100,000, says Stott, thanks to the volunteer efforts of those involved with the trust. Susan Stott, Fred's wife, who could not be reached for comment, is president of the trust.

"This is a small, brave statement and I admire my wife enormously. She has stayed with it for eight years," says Fred Stott. "This is attempting to make a real statement, not with braggadocio, but by deed, really."

Stott says the trust plans to build more affordable homes, but admits it needs the help of developers in acquiring land.

Andover land is expensive, and the trust is hard-pressed to raise the type of funds it would need.

"I think there's a good degree of energy and imagination on the board, which has been gathered together gradually. I know there's another potential piece of land that a house could be put on. I know there are (people) out there seeking land," he says.

"But there's no question a gift of land makes it ever so much more feasible," says Stott. "With house lots at $200,000 and $300,000, you can't possibly build an affordable home."