The Housing Authority is seeking a design/build team for affordable homes at its newest subdivision in Wilson.

The Teton County Housing Authority is accepting responses to its request for qualifications through April 4. The teams will be responsible for designing and building eight new affordable single family homes in Wilson Park.

“We’re trying to engage the local development community to partner with us to build affordable housing,” said Christine Walker, executive director of the Teton County Housing Authority. “This is a great opportunity to use local talent to help address affordable housing.”

The Housing Authority is asking design/build teams to submit conceptual plans and construction cost estimates.

The single-family detached homes will be about 1,200 square feet and feature two bedrooms and a one-car garage on town-sized lots. The Housing Authority is building the homes to carry out affordable housing obligations from the Wilson Meadows development.

Walker said the Housing Authority hopes to reflect the eclectic, distinctive character of Wilson, keep costs to a minimum and incorporate green building practices.

“We’re trying to build housing that’s sensitive to the Wilson neighborhood and takes the historical and cultural significance of the Wilson Community Center into account,” she said. “The goal is to blend into the existing community as though the homes were built individually over time.”

Walker also said the authority is looking for well-designed homes with Energy Star appliances, high-insulation values, sustainable building materials and active and passive solar design.

Because the neighborhood is infill development, the homes will connect to existing infrastructure including the Wilson sewer.

Wilson Park is a joint venture between the Teton County Housing Authority, Teton County School District and Rob and Cindy Williams. The group broke ground in January to build roads and utilities. Housing Authority staff estimates that the homes will be complete by fall 2009.

Design/build teams may pick up requests for qualifications at the Housing Authority office at 180 N. Center Street, or on the web at www.tetonwyo.org/housing. Teams can call 732-0867 for more information.