MADISON, Wis. -- Habitat for Humanity of Dane County on Wednesday announced plans to transform a West Side apartment building in an effort to bring stability to the area.

The project is a big step forward for the Meadowood neighborhood, which has seen an increase in crime problems.

Habitat for Humanity plans to gut a four-unit apartment building on Russett Road and transform it into two owner-occupied town houses. The plan is part of the urban neighborhood initiative to stabilize housing prices and build pride of ownership.

Officials said the idea is basic: If you own your home, you care about it and your community.

"This is a beginning of a positive turnaround because we don't want this neighborhood to tip to the wrong side," said Thuy Pham-Remmele, a member of the Madison Common Council.

"(It will be) a huge change from what you currently see," said Perry Ecton, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Dane County, while unveiling a plan for the empty apartment building. "This exceeds our standard size, however when you're trying to change community sometimes you have to throw the box away."

The West Side neighborhood has been rattled by gun shots and violence in the past couple months. Pham-Remmele said more needs to be done in the neighborhood, especially with landlords.

"The landlords here are tremendous,” she said. "We have a few bad ones (who are) maybe not following the rules but we are working with them, so one thing at a time; one step at a time."

Tim Johnson, who owns a building on Russett Road, said he applauds nonprofit's efforts to bring stability to the neighborhood.

"If there's any way we could turn this entire block to owner-occupied homes we would solve 90 percent of our problems on the street," Johnson said.

Habitat for Humanity is in negotiations with a second apartment building on Russett Road.

Officials said they think the plan is a step forward because it has worked in another part of the city. Habitat for Humanity did the same thing on Kennedy Road on Madison's north side, and community leaders said it is working to improve the area.

"I was very skeptical initially and I have become convinced," said Michael Schumacher, a member of the Madison Common Council.

Schumacher said the new town homes in his district are just the beginning of some positive changes ahead.

"I think it's going to be having a calming affect on any of the potential problems that we sometimes see when you have larger apartment complexes that over time have not been taken care of," Schumacher said.

Habitat for Humanity plans to build 20 homes in the next three years. The town homes will be remodeled beginning this fall.

People can apply to be an owner through Habitat for Humanity.