Two Spokane nonprofits—Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington and YMCA of the Inland Northwest—are being considered for over $20 million in bonds and low-income housing tax credits from the Washington state Housing Finance Commission.
Gonzaga Family Haven, a $20 million multifamily housing project in the works by Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington, is being considered for $1.7 million in federal low-income housing tax credits a year for 10 years, or a total of $16.5 million in tax credits, says Jonathan Mallahan, vice president of housing for the organization.
The project would include a 72-unit apartment complex with 20,000 square feet of community space on the northeast corner of North Foothills Drive and Hamilton Street, near Gonzaga University. The community space will host early learning, counseling, peer support, medical services, and training and education services, Mallahan says.
The nonprofit has partnered with Gonzaga Preparatory School and Gonzaga University, Mallahan adds, so residents will have access to after-school support, tutoring, and scholarships to both schools.
Apartments will be between one and three bedrooms. Work on the project is expected to begin this fall and wrap up by the following fall.
The Spokane City Council voted in mid-December to approve a $550,000 purchase-and-sale agreement with Gonzaga Haven LLC to sell surplus city property that originally had been intended for public utility purposes.
The project is fully funded through donations as well as $3 million from the Housing Trust Fund and a $5 million grant awarded to the nonprofit by the Day One Foundation, says Mallahan.
Olsonprojects PLLC, of Spokane, is the architect on the project, and Inland Group, also of Spokane, is the contractor.
As a condition of receiving a tax credit, developers must commit to serving low-income and special-needs residents for up to 40 years.
The YMCA of the Inland Northwest is being considered for $8.5 million in bond financing by the commission to fund refinancing and equipment for three of the nonprofit’s facilities, according to the commission’s May meeting agenda.
If approved, $5 million would be allocated to the nonprofit’s north facility, at 10727 N. Newport Highway. Another $3.25 million would be allocated to the Valley center, at 2421 N. Discovery Place, and $250,000 would go toward the south facility, at 2921 E. 57th.
The Housing Finance Commission will hold a virtual public hearing 1 p.m. Monday, May 18. The results of the hearing will be sent to Gov. Jay Inslee for approval.