Programs Provide Affordable Housing For Low-Income Families

Thu., April 17, 1997

By Kathy Mulady kathymu@spokesman.com

Four-year-old Aurelia BigHair dances from room to room, her eyes sparkling. She dips and zigzags, skipping out of the way each time her mom and dad come through the door carrying heavy boxes.

“This is our new home!” she giggles with delight. “Look, look! My room is right here!”

Pete and Monica BigHair and their two children are joining others moving into the glistening new Greene Court apartments designed especially for large families with low incomes.

“There is a real shortage of housing especially for large families,” said Julie Pickerel, community relations representative for Spokane Neighborhood Action Programs. “This is unique because all the units are three bedrooms and are designed for families.”

The lemon-yellow apartment building on East Carlisle is near Spokane Community College, making it easy for one or both parents to continue their education. It’s also close to bus routes, services and shops.

The 11 apartments rent for a little more than $500 a month. Utilities are included. It’s a dramatic difference from the $700, plus utilities, paid for most larger apartments.

All have one bathroom, white paint and charcoal-color carpeting. Kitchens include dishwashers and garbage disposals. The downstairs units have small patios off the back.

Pete BigHair exercises horses at Playfair race track. He worked at the racetrack in Billings, Mont., but left last year when rumors circulated that the track might close. He also works in construction. Eventually he wants to become a horse trainer.

Moving to Spokane, the family quickly found a house on Riverside Avenue, not far from Playfair. They could afford the rent, but utility bills were sky-high and the roof leaked.

“It was really bad,” said Monica BigHair.

“These are nice and new, it’s something you can’t get for this price: a three bedroom, with all of your electricity paid,” she said. “I’m glad we were able to get in.”

The complex includes an on-site laundry room and a meeting room for social services, gatherings and maybe a birthday party.

“The goal is to help families stabilize their lives by providing stable housing with long term affordability,” said Pickerel.

The total project cost $864,876. Funding came from the state Housing Trust Fund, the City of Spokane HOME program and a 15-year loan from Washington Trust. Interested tenants should call 456-7111 for information.

Monica BigHair pauses, looking around her new living room, filling with boxes waiting to be unpacked.

“This is going to be really good,” she says, smiling.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: MORE HOUSING Several other low-income housing projects in Spokane have just opened, or are nearing completion. Westfall Village, a 110-unit complex also aimed at families, includes units ranging from one-bedroom to four-bedroom. The 12-building complex opened April 3. Heritage Heights, scheduled to open May 30, is a 62-unit complex aimed at providing a secure and affordable place for senior citizens. Westfall Village and Heritage Heights are in northeast Spokane, south of Empire, between Cook and Lacey. Mary Jo Harvey, executive director of the Spokane Housing Authority which operates both projects, said a combination of public-private partnerships is critical for the development of affordable housing. “These major affordable housing projects could not have been developed without effective partnerships among several private organizations and public agencies,” she said.

This sidebar appeared with the story: MORE HOUSING Several other low-income housing projects in Spokane have just opened, or are nearing completion. Westfall Village, a 110-unit complex also aimed at families, includes units ranging from one-bedroom to four-bedroom. The 12-building complex opened April 3. Heritage Heights, scheduled to open May 30, is a 62-unit complex aimed at providing a secure and affordable place for senior citizens. Westfall Village and Heritage Heights are in northeast Spokane, south of Empire, between Cook and Lacey. Mary Jo Harvey, executive director of the Spokane Housing Authority which operates both projects, said a combination of public-private partnerships is critical for the development of affordable housing. “These major affordable housing projects could not have been developed without effective partnerships among several private organizations and public agencies,” she said.

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