Spokane nonprofit to build upscale, yet affordable low-income housing
Community Frameworks is starting construction on 46 rental apartments for low-income families. Rent starts at $250 a month. Author: Morgan Trau (KREM) Updated: 8:18 AM PST December 14, 2020
SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash Spokane’s housing shortage has only been exacerbated by the pandemic, but a nonprofit is starting construction on a low-income rental home development that will let low-income families live affordably.
Sinto Commons is being built by Community Frameworks and their partners.
The Spokane City Council just approved a small sales tax increase to pay for incoming affordable housing, which could take place in April 2021. This project has been in the works for multiple years.
Spokane-based Community Frameworks broke ground last week on Sinto Commons, a four-story apartment development in North Central.
The nonprofit affordable housing association is preparing the project site by removing a large, basalt rock formation at 509 W. Sinto Ave. Vertical construction of the building is slated to begin in the spring.
Sinto Commons will span more than 50,600 square feet and consist of 47 studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units, indoor common areas, outdoor play areas and on-site parking. The nonprofit has designated 23 units for people who are homeless.
“The impact of COVID-19 has reminded all of us about the importance of home. Our homes have become multipurpose spaces where we live, work and where our children attend school,” Deb Elzinga, CEO of Community Frameworks, said in a statement. “We are very excited about Sinto Commons, and we are glad to be able to create opportunities for people to find a place to call home.”
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In the midst of 2020 election limbo, the Washington State Department of Commerce quietly released a draft of its Washington State 2021 Energy Strategy. And it’s clear that Washington is not on track to reach its 2030 commitment target or its deeper decarbonization emissions target of being carbon neutral by 2050 unless buildings are rapidly electrified.
The report indicates that economy-wide decarbonization with the least societal costs would require a 95 percent reduction in building sector emissions by 2050 and the energy code [being] accelerated to become zero energy, zero-carbon and all-electric no later than the 2027 code. While Washington is right about the importance of amending building codes to meet climate goals, the code should not wait until 2027 to go all-electric.
MADISON – A $5.4 million Project Rental Assistance 811 grant to the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority will help fund the development of integrated, supportive rental housing for low-income homeless people with disabilities.
The grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will be paired with projects that have been awarded federal or state tax credits. In conjunction with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, this funding will connect tenants with various supportive services, such as health care, transportation, education and employment services. WHEDA anticipates the $5,386,056 HUD grant will create an additional 132 units.
“These HUD funds are critical in helping some of Wisconsin’s most vulnerable residents access safe, affordable housing to support their success,” said WHEDA CEO