Wednesday, January 27, 2010

City leases land for senior housing

24-unit project envisioned for River Street

---

By TONY EVANS
Express Staff Writer

Hailey seniors may soon have more affordable housing options, thanks to the ARCH Community Housing Trust.

The City Council agreed Monday to sign a 99-year lease with ARCH to build a three-story, 24-unit senior housing project on vacant land at 731 River St.

The project could be completed as soon as summer 2011. Local architect Pete Anderson and the TAO architectural firm in Boise were chosen by ARCH to design the project.

The property was deeded to the city by Sweetwater Community developer J. Kevin Adams several years ago in lieu of onsite community housing requirements.

"Everyone realizes we are on the same conveyor belt, getting older," said ARCH Executive Director Michelle Griffith. "There are not many choices for affordable senior housing in the valley."

Griffith said the project would be the first of its kind in Blaine County.

She said she did not yet have an estimate of the project's cost. However, she said ARCH has gathered $10,000 in private donations and the rest will be paid with tax-credit funding from the Idaho Housing and Finance Association and funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The credits can be sold to corporations and other private organizations.

The 36-unit Northwood Place affordable housing project in Ketchum was also funded using tax credits.

Tony Evans: tevans@mtexpress.com