Low-income housing receives HUD boost

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded $8.9 million to four low-income housing projects to be developed by Goodale & Barbieri Co. of Spokane.

Almost half the money – about $3.5 million – will be used to provide 37 housing units in Coeur d’Alene for the elderly, said Sheryldene Rogers, the company’s director of residential development, who noted the project was the only one in Idaho to receive funding.

She said the units will be at the intersection of Neider Avenue and Howard Street. HUD also awarded a $369,000 rent subsidy for the first three years of occupancy, she said. They’ll be managed by the St. Vincent de Paul Salvage Bureau.

A Spokane project for people with chronic mental illness will consist of two buildings, at 617 W. Spofford Ave. and 718 W. Maxwell Ave., Rogers said, with HUD contributing $1.9 million for development, and $177,600 in subsidies over three years for the 17 units.

Spokane Mental Health will manage those buildings.

A Shalom Ecumenical Center project in Richland, with 15 units for people with developmental disabilities, will receive about $1.7 million and $155,400 in subsidies.

In Beaverton, Ore., Goodale & Barbieri will work with Sequoia Mental Health Services to build 15 housing units for those with chronic mental illness.

HUD awarded about $1.9 million for development and $147,600 for subsidies.

Rogers said the company hopes to break ground on the Washington projects this year. Construction in Idaho and Oregon is more likely in 2010, she said.