SPOKANE-- Demand for affordable senior housing in Spokane is skyrocketing. The economy nearly forced a South Hill retirement community to close last year. But Clare House managed to overcome the threat of foreclosure.
The Clare House has been around for the last decade and the last two years were a little uncertain. Residents are pleased that is now in the past.
It’s easy living at the Clare House off the Palouse Highway. Residents take advantage of the pool everyday to exercise. It’s a complete 180 from where the retirement community was a year ago when it was on the brink of foreclosure. That’s when Spokane Housing Ventures stepped in.
Spokane Housing Ventures is a non-profit organization devoted to providing affordable housing. The organization dedicated itself to preserving the Clare House for elderly residents on a fixed income including residents like 93-year-old Betty Fesler.
Fesler told KREM 2 News her favorite store is the dollar store because she joked she can buy everything she wants and nothing she needs. Fesler says there is just something about the Clare House that makes her feel really great. She has lived there since 2002 and says it was a blessing the Clare House wasn’t put up for auction. But the Clare House is still recovering from the reputation of being in financial trouble.
Vacancies increased when ownership changed hands, then rooms started to fill up again. Now there are about ten spots open. Jayne Auld from Spokane Housing Ventures says the project is alive and well. She says the Clare House has available units they would love to put to good use.
As for Fesler, she says moving into the Clare House was the best move she ever made. She won’t live anywhere else. Units are available for as low as $363. This isn’t as assisted living facility, but it is for those on a fixed income over the age of 55.
