White Salmon Receives Funding for Regional Housing Rehabilitation Program

Washington State Department of Commerce announced this week that the City of White Salmon has been selected to receive up to $400,000 in Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to continue providing a regional housing rehabilitation program with Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation (CCHC). CCHC and the City of White Salmon teamed up for the successful investment proposal and will continue their partnership over the next two years to put this investment to work in Klickitat and Skamania Counties.

The minor home repair program will provide zero interest, deferred loans up to $25,000 for lower income homeowners seeking health and safety repairs to their homes using local contractors. This resource is available to homeowners throughout Klickitat and Skamania Counties earning at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. ‘We’re excited to attract this resource to our region and utilize our expertise in managing federal investments to improve the condition of our housing stock while helping lower income homeowners stay in their homes’ said Joel Madsen, Executive Director.

Mayor of White Salmon, Marla Keethler states ‘this is another example of our city prioritizing the community’s desire to address affordable housing. We’re pleased to be partnering with CCHC on this project and look forward to improving the housing stock in and around White Salmon. Creating opportunities for homeowners to make improvements to their home is another piece of the housing puzzle. The program will ensure preservation of existing houses throughout our community while also bringing job opportunities to local contractors.'

Eligible repairs include structural, roofing, plumbing, electrical, heating/furnace, window replacement, radon, asbestos and lead-based paint mitigation, and energy-related improvements. Also included are modifications for mobility-impaired residents. There is no cost to homeowners who must sign a Deed and Note for a 30 year, deferred payment, zero interest loan.