For many years, most local home building has been at the city’s fringes, helping push geographic growth but also encouraging sprawl. So the scene unfolding in the Hanna-Creighton neighborhood is a welcome change, particularly for a neighborhood that has struggled with a diminishing supply of decent housing.

Where vacant lots once lay barren, new houses are sprouting, part of the aptly named Renaissance Pointe. After years of discussion, revisions and planning, the first of a remarkable 66 single-family homes being built in the southeast neighborhood was open for public view Saturday. More than 300 people – including City Council members Glynn Hines and Geoff Paddock – toured the model home at 2301 John St.

By the end of the month, five of the homes will be ready for occupancy, and builder Ideal Suburban Homes of Decatur will complete eight in each succeeding month.

“It was really gratifying to see the interest and feel the energy,” said Rebecca Karcher, director of community engagement for the city’s Community Development Department. Karcher was glad to see people of all ages, including many from the neighborhood but also “several who were very interested and many who have never been to the neighborhood before.”

Former Mayor Graham Richard launched the ambitious Renaissance project just before the long-festering mortgage meltdown sank housing prices and greatly curbed home lending.

Later, under Mayor Tom Henry, the city worked with Ideal and reached agreement to build rental homes. Long-term tenants have a rent-to-own opportunity.

“If you look at the average citizen of Fort Wayne, 35 percent are renters,” said Jessica Baker, regional manager for Biggs Property Management, a sister company to Ideal that is managing the rentals. “This is an exciting way for people to rent and to establish their credit.”

Rents are $274 to $674 per month, with electric and gas utility costs expected to average just $100 a month because of energy-efficient appliances included in the rent price. Residents will be offered classes that help them learn to manage their finances.

The homes are along John Street, Gay Street and Weisser Park Avenue, between Creighton Avenue and Pontiac Street. They are within walking distance of the popular new Renaissance Pointe YMCA and also close to the campus that includes the Fort Wayne Urban League, the Allen County Library Pontiac Street Branch and CANI Head Start.

Just as those projects helped bring optimism to the neighborhood, families moving into new rental homes should spur more.

“I think the more rooftops that are done and the more families that move in is going to build momentum,” Karcher said.

The project is a product of a beneficial mix of private investment, state tax credits and contributions of federal money assigned to the city.

Though national mortgage woes and other setbacks delayed and changed the project, the Henry administration kept working at it, and the result is new homes affordable to tenants in a part of the city that needs them.