Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County is looking to build six condominiums for low-income individuals to be able to afford home ownership in Santa Barbara.

Proposed for two parcels at 710 and 712 E. Cota St. across from Santa Barbara Junior High School, the project includes two three-unit condominiums, one on each address.

The land was donated to the nonprofit Habitat For Humanity.

“We build projects to be sold at an affordable mortgage,” said Jessica de L’arbe, chief executive officer.

The three-bedroom, 1,100-square-foot homes are deed-restricted and serve people who earn between 60% and 80% of the area median income, which is about $89,000 annually. Each parcel has three parking spaces.

The plan is to demolish two existing structures, one of which is the current Habitat for Humanity office. The residents of the other house will be provided relocation assistance, according to the organization.

The project is the fifth Habitat for Humanity homeownership project in Santa Barbara, which encompasses 22 homes. Internationally, the organization has completed more than 400 projects.

The application process will be open to qualified individuals and families who are currently living and/or working in Santa Barbara County. Applicants must be 18 years or older and first-time homebuyers.

The application process is expected to begin in the fall, although Habitat for Humanity officials said the timing could change. People interested in applying should sign up for the organization’s e-newsletter and follow it on social media to be notified if and when a waiting list is established.

The organization is currently working its way through the Santa Barbara design and planning review process.

It appeared before the Architectural Board of Review a week ago. One neighbor spoke against the project.

“There’s a lot of issues, parking, hopefully you have heard from a lot of my neighbors, but parking in this neighborhood is a nightmare,” said Melissa Haskell, who owns property on the block.

“Units with one space per unit are not going to suffice. Nobody in this world has just one car.”

She also noted concerns about privacy.

“A three-story apartment, with windows, looking directly down into my yard, is troubling to say the least,” Haskell said.

“I am also concerned about blocking the natural light to the property, having to live in the shadows of an apartment.”

The Architectural Board of Review had concerns about the height and size of the project, which had to be elevated four feet off the ground because it’s in a flood zone.

“I do like the idea of figuring out a creative way to have this building less looming,” ABR member Steve Nuhn said.

“I would be interested in seeing how the size of the building could be reduced.”

The board voted to continue the project so the Habitat for Humanity team will return with revisions.

De L’arbe said more home ownership is needed in Santa Barbara. One in 11 households locally is low-income, she added.

“We believe that spiraling rents cause individuals and families to be cost-burdened and make difficult tradeoffs, and this provides long-term stability, coupled with self-sufficiency,” De L’arbe explained.

“We also believe in reducing the carbon footprint by providing housing in areas where people can work.”