At its July 19th business meeting, the Yakima City Council approved contracts totaling nearly $874,000 with two local organizations to provide affordable housing. Under the contracts, Yakima Valley Partners Habitat for Humanity will build four new homes and the Yakima Housing Authority will rehabilitate 10 of its rental units.
The Yakima City Council approved up to $423,924 for Yakima Valley Partners Habitat for Humanity to build four new homes at on a parcel located in the 1200 block of South 16th Avenue. Low-to-moderate income families apply to buy Habitat homes and invest “sweat equity” by helping with their construction. Monthly mortgage payments are deposited into a revolving fund that is used to build more Habitat houses in the area. Since its founding in 1984, the local non-profit organization has built more than 160 homes that now provide housing for more than 800 family members throughout the Yakima Valley.
The Council also approved $450,000 for the Yakima Housing Authority to rehabilitate 10 units it owns at various locations in Yakima that are collectively known as “Pioneer Plaza”. The Housing Authority estimates it will cost about $45,000 to renovate each unit. The project will include replacing flooring, installing new plumbing fixtures (toilets, sinks, showers, faucets, water heaters, etc.), upgrading countertops and cabinets, modernizing electrical and HVAC systems, painting unit interiors, and more.
“The City has long and successful partnerships with both Yakima Valley Partners Habitat for Humanity and the Yakima Housing Authority,” said Archie Matthews, manager of the City’s Office of Neighborhood Development Services. “These two projects represent yet another opportunity for the City to join forces with well-established organizations that have strong track records of providing safe, clean, affordable housing in our community.”
Funding for the projects will come from a portion of the City’s annual allocation of federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program (“HOME”) moneys. The HOME program, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”), provides funds to state and local governments through block grants that are used to create affordable housing for low-to-moderate income individuals and families. According to HUD regulations, projects must be completed within two years of having been awarded HOME funds.