Panel considers public housing needs
The words “public housing” can conjure images of slumlords and rundown, squalid tenements in places such as Baltimore or Manhattan.
The advisory board of Northeast Washington Housing Solutions (formerly known as Spokane Housing Authority), frequently encounters misperceptions like this.
Its mission is to support the director and staff and help with strategic planning for public housing.
“We contribute a lot to the community,” said Steve Cervantes, NWHS executive director. “We invest approximately $23 million into Northeast Washington annually.”
Safe, affordable housing is necessary for individuals to be a productive part of society and NWHS helps provide that housing.
NWHS serves Spokane, Stevens, Whitman, Pend Oreille and Lincoln counties. The agency provides homes for 4,365 households through the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Housing Choice vouchers, according to its 2005 annual report. NWHS owns 731 houses and apartments in Spokane County and manages 38 apartments for other owners.
The advisory board recently met for its monthly meeting at the NWHS office on Mission Street.
With the drone of central heating, the monotonous buzz of fluorescent lighting, bland institutional green walls and tightly closed blinds, even the most interested attendee could lapse into a doze.
Perhaps that’s the reason for the metal folding chairs offered to guests. It takes a certain amount of vigilance to stay upright on the slippery gray metal chairs.
The public is welcome to attend the monthly meeting but should be advised that it’s strictly BYOC (bring your own coffee).
Things perked up a bit when the board clapped and cheered for the managers and maintenance staff of Cedar West and Westfall Village apartment complexes for having 100 percent occupancy rates. Board chairman Bill Zeck smiled and said, “We’re happy to acknowledge our staff out there on the front lines.”
In addition to recognition by the board, earlier that week the apartment teams were treated to lunch, courtesy of the NEWHS staff. The well-kept, tree-lined lawns of these low-income complexes look much like any other apartment building in Spokane.
Board members grew animated as they discussed the recent purchase of the Borning Building in downtown Spokane. They plan to create 50 affordable loft units in hopes to counterbalance the new higher-end condominium construction boom.
NWHS partners with groups like Spokane Neighborhood Action Program and the federal Department of Veterans Affairs to help house the most vulnerable among us, but the need for affordable housing still far outweighs the supply.
When the waiting list for housing vouchers reached 2,000 households, they had to close the list.
“It’s a real crisis in my mind,” said Zeck, shaking his head.
According to the board, research shows that the cost of providing housing for the homeless is significantly less than allowing them to wander the streets.
Newly elected board chairwoman Terri Symbol said her reason for serving on the panel is simple. “I care about this community,” she said. “I want to see everyone get an even break and have the stability of a home.”