Habitat working on four duplexes

Frigid temperatures have hit the Inland Northwest, but Habitat for Humanity-Spokane hasn’t stopped work on four new duplexes for working-class families in East Spokane, its director said.

The units, on the 5500 block of East Union Avenue near Felts Field, are worth an estimated $125,000 on the market but will sell for about $80,000, said Michone Preston, Habitat’s executive director. Volunteers are needed to help with framing and other tasks, she said.

The homes are the last of 30 on the parcel, which Habitat for Humanity bought in 1999. They were designed by Washington State University students and will be sold as condominiums.

The organization hopes to complete the units by late spring.

Habitat for Humanity serves families with about 25 percent to 50 percent of the area’s median income. It builds about 16 to 20 homes annually in Spokane County, drawing on thousands of volunteers, Preston said.

Homeowners must put at least 500 hours of “sweat equity” into homes and take eight workshops on homeowner responsibilities. They then are offered no-interest 20- or 30-year loans.

Owners should pay about $350 a month in mortgage payments, “much lower than what they’ve probably been paying in rent,” Preston said.

Job sites are open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call (509) 534-2552 for more information.