New funding to help families across eastern Washington become homeowners

SPOKANE, Wash. — Dozens of families across eastern Washington will soon be homeowners thanks to new funding from the state of Washington.

The State Department of Commerce recently announced nearly $18 million in capital funds to create more homeowner opportunities across Washington.

45 families in eastern Washington, including 11 within Spokane County, will benefit from the funding and become homeowners.

The funding is meant to help combat Washington’s housing crisis. According to the state, more than 1 million new homes must be built in less than 20 years to keep up with demand.

In recent years, affordable home developments that are concentrated in a specific have been a popular option in tackling the housing crisis.

However, the new funding provided for Spokane County is dedicated to establishing affordable housing through a scattered site model, which spreads affordable housing units across the region.

Habitat for Humanity, the organization running the scattered site housing project, said this model benefits both homeowners and the greater community.

“By providing rehab, opportunities and neighborhoods, not only can families stay where, perhaps, they grew up, or where their communities exist, but it can also ensure that these homes will remain permanently affordable and will not fall into market speculation and further gentrification,” said Habitat for Humanity Spokane CEO, Michelle Girardot.

She said the scattered site model promotes neighborhood revitalization and community partnerships.

Habitat for Humanity Spokane already purchased a plot in Hillyard neighborhood to be used for one of the affordable housing sites.

“We’re able to split lots and build more on smaller pieces of land,” Girardot said.

The WA State Department of Commerce said it expects the funding to have a positive impact on communities across the state.

“It helps to build a vibrant community. It helps people to connect with their neighbors. It helps people to feel more entrenched in their community, more validated in their community, while being more connected. That’s part of what home buying is,” said Ann Campbell of WA State Department of Commerce.

The most recent round of funding had a record number of applications, showing how high the demand is. Habitat for Humanity Spokane said although 45 seems like a small number of families, the impact will go a long way.

“These homes will remain permanently affordable, which is wonderful because then, we can also look at these neighborhoods in a way that everyone can have access and everyone can have an opportunity to thrive,” Girardot said.