SCCHO approaches county for ARPA funds

Sanders County Commissioners met with the Sanders County Community Housing Organization, Inc. (SCCHO) to discuss the possibility of using American Relief Protection Act (ARPA) funds to help put in affordable housing. These funds are part of a nationwide effort to limit the economic effects of COVID-19. Numerous states, counties and cities are eligible to apply for these ARPA funds. Sanders County is currently slated to receive several million dollars through ARPA.

With that kind of money coming into the county, the commissioners are looking for ways to use it. SCCHO representatives Carol Seilhymer and Lisa Fried de Reyes spoke about their intentions, were they to receive assistance from the county. They also spoke on how their projects would benefit the area. “We know the lack of affordable housing can be a barrier to the economic growth of an area,” said Fried de Reyes. She then explained that the nonprofit is looking to expand and put several more units in various locations around the community. The project they would be asking for help on is a property in Noxon encompassing 12 city lots that was donated to the SCCHO. The organization is working to provide a preliminary architectural report, which could cost about $35,000. This is needed to estimate the cost of building this type of housing unit and must be done before any designing or planning can commence. After a donation from Mission West Community Development Partners of up to $20,000, SCCHO needs to raise another $15,000.

Fried de Reyes brought up the fact that the organization has been successfully operating similar units in Plains for 11 years, and they are ready to take on more. Seilhymer added that they now have a full board and have been looking at several places, including Noxon and Trout Creek.

The ladies explained that the proposed housing would be very similar to their Plains location, targeting all ages and demographics. They continued saying that there are many in the area who cannot afford the fair-market cost of rent per month. They estimated this cost to be nearly $1,300 based on an estimation for the area on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) website. According to the SCCHO representatives, with very few places to rent in the first place and the low wages in the area, this creates a severe problem. The housing SCCHO would like to provide would have an estimated rent of between $600 and $700 per month.

“This is still new to us,” said Commissioner Glen Magera. “This might be the first one we dip our toes into.” He explained that the commissioners have not used any of the ARPA funds and are still trying to learn how to use them properly. This may be a low amount of the funds that can segue the commissioners into using these funds for other projects, according to Magera. The commissioners will consider the SCCHO project, but did not make any decision last week.