Program Aids Would-Be Homeowners

Home ownership has traditionally been part of the American dream, but for moderate-income families, that dream may seem elusive and fading.

In recent years, housing prices in the Inland Northwest have climbed dramatically while wages have remained stagnant. Home ownership has become unachievable for many hard-working families.

Northwest Regional Facilitators wants to restore the dream of a new, affordable home. In 1994, the local non-profit corporation created HomeStarts, a program with a simple mission: provide affordable homes, valuable skills and a network of close-knit neighbors to qualifying moderate-income families.

Unlike Habitat for Humanity, which helps low-income families attain homes, HomeStarts assists those with moderate incomes too high to qualify for Habitat but not high enough to afford a home without help.

“We’re trying to target families who can afford a mortgage, but in today’s economy aren’t able to get together the down payment and closing costs,” said Joanne Amsbury, HomeStarts program manager. “These people have lost the will to look for a home.”

HomeStarts is offered to first-time homebuyers whose gross household income falls within a specified range. Using the principle of “sweat equity,” qualified buyers earn the down payment and closing costs by working with others in a group to built their homes.

Each household is expected to work at least 35 hours a week on the construction site under the guidance of professional contractors. In return, they have access to attractive mortgage rates and deferred second mortgages to ensure affordable house payments.

A HomeStarts house costs between $87,500 and $90,000. Current designs feature a split-entry house with two to five bedrooms and one or two baths. Kitchens include a stove, dishwasher and custom oak cabinetry. Buyers select floor coverings, light fixtures, exterior paint colors and cosmetic exterior design features, front yard landscaping and a rear deck.

HomeStarts, which builds an average of 10 to 12 homes a year, receives both public and private funding. In 1996, it received $1 million from the Washington State Housing Trust Fund to provide interest-free construction financing and low-interest mortgages.

That same year, Northwest Regional Facilitators was one of three national recipients to receive Housing and Urban Development funds. The money is used to acquire property for the housing projects and offer low-interest mortgages to the buyers. Private funding comes in the form of materials and volunteer labor from local businesses, agencies and individuals to help defray building costs.

HomeStarts participants build more than a house. They gain a neighborhood of up to 12 families working together to build their homes.They also acquire knowledge and skills necessary to become successful and responsible homeowners.

“We’re trying to build a community and a neighborhood that makes for good neighbors and a safe haven for children,” said Amsbury. “HomeStarts teaches people not only to attain the trade and talent for building a home, but for maintaining it afterward.”

Participants take courses in budgeting, home maintenance and repair, and first aid. They are taught group dynamics and communication skills between neighbors.

“We’re instilling a pride of ownership that comes from building a home with their own hands,” said Amsbury.

For more information, or an application, call (509) 484-6733, or stop by the HomeStarts office, 525 E. Mission

Family notes

Today is the last day to enjoy the work of several regional American Indian artists at the Cheney Cowles Museum, 2316 W. First.

The artists appear in conjunction with the ongoing exhibit, “From Earth & Sky: Indian Art of the Americas,” which continues through Jan. 4.

From 2 to 4 this afternoon, the museum will host hands-on demonstrations of carving, storytelling, print making, sculpting and painting by artists representing the Colville, Nez Perce and Assiniboine tribes.

A special exhibit will display the work of Cheyenne flute-maker Charlie Rising Sun; jewelry-maker Steve Gunnyon from the Yakima Tribe; and painter George Flett and sculptor George Hill of the Spokane Tribe.

The Cheney Cowles Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday; and from 1 to 5 p.m., Sunday.

For more information, call 456-3931.

Children’s museum wish list

The Children’s Museum of Spokane needs donations of several items for the spring opening of its permanent hands-on facility downtown.

On the group’s wish list are art supplies: glue, tagboard, pipe cleaners, fabric scraps, markers, crayons, colored chalk, sequins and child-safe scissors.

Recycled art material is also welcome, such as plastic scraps, telephone spindle wire, packaging “popcorn” and reusable “junk.”

The museum needs a desktop size (or larger) copy machine; clean, fine-grade sand; glycerin and Dawn liquid detergent; and subscriptions to family magazines for the Family Resource Room.

If you can help with any of these items, call 624-0435; or drop them off at the Children’s Museum of Spokane office in the SeaFirst Financial Building, Suite 960.

Zephyr T-shirts

The purchase of a soft and stylish Zephyr T-shirt this holiday season will help support Spokane’s contemporary classical chamber music ensemble.

The 100-percent cotton shirts are $20, available in long- and short-sleeves. The black shirt features the group’s hot-pink and white logo with the slogan “Zephyr - Exploring 20th Century Sound.”

Sale proceeds will support the group’s concerts and educational outreach.

The T-shirts are available at Street Music, 117 N. Howard Street; or by calling 235-4645.

Community notes

Volunteers from local non-profit organizations are invited to wrap gifts for Crosswalk kids from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at Crosswalk, 525 W. Second. The service project is sponsored by DOVIA of the Inland Northwest.

DOVIA, an acronym for Directors of Volunteers in Agencies, is for managers of volunteers in Spokane non-profit organizations. DOVIA members share information and gain support during their monthly meetings.

Non-members may attend the gift-wrapping party to learn more about volunteerism and DOVIA. Bring your own wrapping paper and supplies.

The event is free, but reservations are requested. Call Bonnie Abernethy at 624-0151.

Kudos

To assist local and overseas hunger relief and education programs, participants in this year’s Spokane CROP Walk raised $22,715 - nearly 20 percent more than the previous year.

At a recent ceremony near the Centennial Trail, CROP Walk organizers presented local emergency food agencies with checks representing 25 percent of the walk’s proceeds. The remaining money goes to partner agencies in more than 70 countries worldwide to provide food, relief supplies and other necessities.

Checks for $1,892 were presented to Spokane Food Bank, Mid-City Concerns, Meals on Wheels and Spokane Valley Meals on Wheels.

Elisa Pupo, walk-a-thon organizer is hopeful a fourth food agency will be added as a recipient for the 10-K CROP Walk on April 26.

Spokane CROP Walk is sponsored by Church World Service, a project of the Spokane Council of Ecumenical Ministries. For more information, call 747-5790.

, DataTimes