Nonprofit will sell historic Peaceful Valley home
Sali Combelic is spreading the gospel of home ownership. She believes anyone can purchase a home. Maybe not immediately, but with personal commitment, sacrifice and access to available programs, the American dream can be realized, she said. And Combelic has just the house for a first-time homebuyer, a historic home in Peaceful Valley.
The home is offered through the Peaceful Valley Homefront, a nonprofit organization that Combelic founded in 1996, following the city-ordered demolition of five houses in the neighborhood for code violations.
The goal of the organization is to maintain the character of the Peaceful Valley neighborhood by building, acquiring and restoring residences. Existing homes are recycled and refurbished.
Homefront’s mission is also to provide homeownership for low-to-moderate income buyers to maintain socioeconomic diversity in the neighborhood. The organization also works to influence the neighborhood’s growth process.
“Developers come in and build what they want and sell at high prices, which eliminates the low-to-moderate income purchaser and (causes) the erosion of the historic character. Peaceful Valley is viewed as a prime piece of real estate, the last little riverfront community, close to downtown and ripe for development,” said Combelic, director of housing for Homefront.
The latest project required moving a house from one lot to another in the Peaceful Valley neighborhood. The house originally had two bedrooms, but once moved, will have four bedrooms, two baths and will be placed on a full basement. The makeover also includes new cedar siding, a new roof and gas heat. The asking price is $90,000. The house is now located on two lots at 1638 W. Wilson, and was built in 1897. To look at it now you’d wonder if it can be saved, but Combelic has faith that it will make someone a wonderful home. Spokane Preservation Advocates’ “Doing It” committee will refurbish the home’s interior.
Peaceful Valley Homefront is taking applications from “first time homebuyers” interested in purchasing the house. A first time homebuyer is anyone who hasn’t owned a home in the last three years.
To qualify as a low-to-moderate income homebuyer, a buyer’s gross income can’t exceed 80 percent of Spokane County’s median income standards as established by HUD. This amount was $43,700 for a family of four.
Homefront will get the purchasers “bank ready.” Mortgage and down payment assistance is available.
Combelic sees Homefront as a model for community building projects in other neighborhoods. The house at 1638 W. Wilson is available because of the collaboration of many people in the community.
The house was donated to Homefront by John Davis and Nancy Apadoca. Mary, Patricia and Romero Vivit, sold Homefront the land.
Mike and Kris Rubert and their crew of subcontractors at Mountain Homestead Inc. moved the house and are the general contractors.
Other community members who participated in this project are: the Peaceful Valley Steering Committee; city building inspector Bill Leonetti; Mike Adolphe and Allen Smelzer, Community Development, City of Spokane; Jeff Verble, commercial lending American West Bank; Kay Crum, Affordable Loan Officer at Action Mortgage; Leo Richardson, Richardson Appraisal Service; attorney Jon Nees and LPO Shirley Sullivan and Harvey at Spokane Ditch and Cable.
Joining Combelic on the Peaceful Valley Homefront Board are Shannon Bedard, Bridget Lochelt, Jordan McCabe, George and Judy Orr and Dave Shockley.
“Our niche is as a single family housing provider and educator/promoter of home ownership. We work in Peaceful Valley but we have land to develop in other neighborhoods. Our goal is to provide quality housing to low-to-moderate income households. Our belief is that any person wishing to become a homeowner may reach their goal. We are happy to help them through counseling and education,” said Combelic.
For more information call Combelic at 499-3855 or send e-mail to salicombelic@msn.org.