Group gets grant for affordable elderly housing

St. Vincent de Paul in North Idaho has been awarded a $3.8 million federal housing grant to help subsidize 37 units of affordable housing for elderly. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded the grant Tuesday. St. Vincent de Paul officials say a portion of the money will pay for 14 units of low-income housing for seniors with disabilities. The remainder will be for housing for low income seniors. Under federal rules, the grant essentially provides nonprofit developers interest-free capital advances to produce the housing units, or for rental assistance and support services. Officials say there is a growing need in North Idaho for affordable housing for seniors as the state and nation’s economoic woes intensify.