PRICE, Utah – March 25, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — Carbon County is celebrating the completion of the Newhouse Apartments, a housing unit that will benefit the chronically homeless population of rural Utah, with a ribbon cutting and tour on Monday, March 29 at 4:00 p.m. The Newhouse Apartments are located at 11 W. Main St. in Price.
Newly-completed, this mixed-use facility consists of 16 low-income housing units as well as commercial space located in the heart of the city’s downtown district. All apartments are Energy Star certified and the building uses photovoltaic panels to reduce its carbon impact and to lower the utility costs of tenants.
The Newhouse, originally constructed around 1915, was considered one of the most upscale hotels Price had to offer during that time. Preserving the interior and exterior historic architecture of the building, the renovation was completed by The LaPorte Group, which focuses on maintaining the rich history and integrity of Utah’s Historic Districts.
“I was very pleased to work with the Price community and all the local governments including the state government, UHC, the Olene Walker Housing Loan Fund, and the Utah Association of Governments to get this project done,” said Ben Logue, President and CEO of The LaPorte Group. “The whole process ran very smoothly. We are very excited to run this project using ‘green’ techniques and solar energy.”
The LaPorte Group qualified for funding from three of the Utah Division of Housing and Community Development’s programs and was awarded $289,800 toward the $2.2 million project.
$194,400–Olene Walker Housing Loan Fund
$72,000–Community Development Block Grant
$23,400–Pamela Atkinson Homeless Trust Fund
“This remarkable project could not have been accomplished without the collaborative efforts between the non-profit, commercial and government sectors,” said Gordon Walker, Utah Division of Housing and Community Development, director. “It’s because of these partnerships and the commitment of Ben Logue and The LaPorte Group that tonight more of our state’s neediest citizens will sleep in a safe, clean and environmentally sound home.”
In 2004, Utah embraced a nationwide movement and developed and is implementing the State’s strategy “Housing First” to end chronic homelessness within 10 years. Under this model, chronically homeless citizens go from the streets or homeless shelters, into their own apartments. The model also provides job training and other supports to help tenants re-integrate with society. The housing is permanent and “affordable,” meaning; tenants pay 30 percent of their income for rent. For more information, please visit http://www.housingworks.utah.gov.
Utah’s Homeless Task Force and Ten-Year Homeless Action Plan are managed by the Division of Housing and Community Development under the Utah Department of Community and Culture.
