Program Can Help First-Time Home Buyers

Spokane residents who can swing a monthly house payment, but can’t save enough money for a down payment, are invited to learn more about HomeStarts, a program designed to help first-time home buyers.

Home buyers work in teams to build their own homes, earning as much as $25,000 toward the down payment.

The program was developed by Northwest Regional Facilitators of Spokane.

The newest phase features homes with split entries, two to five bedrooms, and one or two bathrooms. The homes will be built on the 3200 block of North Lacey Street, near Bemiss Elementary School.

Program participants work alongside other families and contractors, learning construction skills while building relationships with their future neighbors.

Each family is required to work at least 35 hours a week building their new home.

Buyers will select their own carpets, light fixtures, paint colors and other features. The basic home also includes front yard landscaping and a back yard deck. Prices of the completed homes are expected to be around $90,000.

Joe and Marcia Melton moved into their HomeStarts house in May.

“It’s great,” said Marcia Melton. “We wouldn’t have a home otherwise. We are finishing our basement now. We have our fence up.

“It was hard work,” she said. “My husband worked on it while I watched the kids. But he loves the skills he learned.”

The neighbors share a close bond after building their houses together.

“We had a great summer, and we love our neighborhood,” said Melton.

More information is available by calling the HomeStarts program, 484-6733.

, DataTimes