Agency Renovates Homes For Low-Income Families
The Hays were trapped by their home.
As the north Spokane family struggled to overcome poverty, freezing winds whistled through their rented house. Their monthly winter heating bill sometimes neared $300. Rent was $586. Their $745 welfare check for the family of five didn’t even come close to covering the two bills.
“We had food stamps, but you can’t buy toilet paper or toothpaste, or gas for the car with them,” said Terrie Hay. “We have three teenagers. There was no money for clothes, we didn’t go anywhere or do anything.”
They were rescued when Spokane Housing Ventures, which provides housing for those who are homeless or low-income, bought the house and renovated it from top to bottom.
The non-profit agency sealed cracks, replaced windows and doors, fixed the plumbing and installed a gas furnace.
This winter the family’s highest heating bill was $140. “And we have been warm,” said Hay. “Words can’t express how much I appreciate that gas furnace.”
The housing agency also reviewed the family’s finances and lowered their rent to $334 per month.
Spokane Housing Ventures already has 178 housing units and a referral network for locating the “hard to house.”
Now the agency is launching a new program, Casas Salvadas (it means “saved homes” in Spanish) to renovate five more old homes and apartment buildings to provide low-income housing. Four of the buildings are on the North Side.
When the $1.6 million building renovation program is finished in late September, there will be 25 housing units available for those in need.
“The program is designed to provide housing for adult men, women and families who were homeless, or are in transition,” said Helen Stevenson, administrator for Northwest Regional Facilitators, based in Spokane.
“We help them stabilize their housing so they can return to work or get a better job,” she said.
To be eligible for the program, the applicant’s income has to be less than 45 percent of the median income, she said. A family of four making $17,950 or less per year is eligible.
The program includes houses, apartments and studios.
“The goal is to provide appropriate housing. A family of four living in a studio apartment is not appropriate,” said Stevenson.
“We are all in the battle of providing more affordable housing and getting people out of the shelters,” said Bob Peeler, housing coordinator for Spokane Neighborhood Action Program.
“I turn away 10 families a week who need warm, safe, affordable housing. Some are in shelters, some are staying with other people, some are living in situations not fit for humans,” he said.
“If they know they are going to be in a house for a while, they can begin to make long-term plans. They can concentrate on finding jobs or going to school,” Peeler said.
North Side apartments now being worked on are located at 1420 N. Post, 1024 W. Boone, 1314 W. Maxwell, 807 W. Augusta. The South Side building is at 704 S. Sherman.
All are in disrepair, some more than others. Some have structural problems, but most just need better doors, windows, roofs, new carpet or heating systems, said Stevenson.
Vern Johnson and Sons Construction is doing the renovations.
Weatherization work has already started on some of the buildings.
“Generally speaking, they aren’t too bad, they didn’t pick buildings that are ready to trash. They will have all new paint in and out, new carpet throughout,” said Vern Johnson. “They’ll be nice buildings when they are finished.”
“I love this house,” said Hay. “We try hard to take care of it. Our kids are in a stable situation. They are going to graduate with the kids they go to school with.
“Maybe we aren’t totally stable yet, but we are getting there.”
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