A cooperative project to provide safe and affordable housing for residents with chronic mental illness is now full to capacity. The two apartment buildings – collectively called Keystone Corners – are located within two blocks of each other in Spokane.
 
The apartment buildings, which total 19 units, were a collaborative development of Spokane Mental Health and SNAP. Each one-bedroom apartment is federally subsidized and was made available to those who have documented disabilities and make less than 50 percent of median income.
 
“We are exceptionally pleased to make these apartments available to the community,” said David Panken, CEO of Spokane Mental Health. “We know that people who struggle to cope with their mental illnesses have a greater likelihood of remaining stable and being productive citizens with access to safe, affordable housing. This will be a valuable resource for many years to come.”
 
All 18 units for residents are now occupied. The additional apartment is for a resident manager. The apartments were quickly filled within two weeks of their availability.
 
“This has been an excellent example of cooperation between two nonprofits to respond to a tremendous need in the community,” according to SNAP Executive Director Larry Stuckart. “SNAP’s expertise in housing, paired with the knowledge of Spokane Mental Health, resulted in a project to benefit those challenged with mental illness.”
 
The two buildings, constructed at a cost of $3.5 million dollars, took about 14 months to complete. About $2 million dollars of the cost was absorbed by a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Grants from the city and state helped make the project a reality.
 
The HUD Section 811 program provides funds which pay the difference between HUD-approved operating costs and the rent paid by the tenants which is usually about 30 percent of their adjusted income.