The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed the Bonner Community Housing Agency (BCHA) and Community Frameworks to the area with a ribbon cutting ceremony on June 16th. Sharing office space at 105 N. 2nd Ave. in Sandpoint, both BCHA and Community Frameworks work to bring affordable housing to Bonner and Boundary counties.
BCHA was established in 2007 and works directly with Idaho Housing and Finance (IHFA) to provide homebuyer education. Classes are held monthly through their “Finally Home” program. We are currently working directly with IHFA to provide a Community Land Trust to create affordable housing for families that make less than 80% of the area median income and keep these houses affordable for generations to come,” says BCHA administrator Chris Bassett. Stephen Drinkard is the President of the Board of Directors for BCHA.
Community Frameworks is a non-profit housing counseling provider and educator based out of Spokane, WA. They expanded their services into Northern Idaho in January, 2011 and share space with the Bonner Community Housing Agency. Community Frameworks has spent the last 15 years working one-on-one with homeowners to help them achieve a dream of homeownership. Their services are free to the public and include a credit and financial fitness evaluation. Through education and skill building assistance, Community Frameworks is able to assist with credit repair, budgeting, debt reduction, and ultimately attaining a mortgage.
“We plan to work with community members in Sandpoint and the surrounding area to help them stabilize their finances, provide the best possible education and assistance for their circumstance. We want to give them an opportunity to get ahead,” says Melody Kinkead of Community Frameworks.
To contact Bonner Community Housing Agency for more information, call Chris Bassett at 208 263-5720. For Community Frameworks, contact Melody Kinkead at 208 597-4968.
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