After the passing of
last year’s property tax levy to establish the Bellingham Home Fund, Dorothy
Place has been awarded funds to preserve and update the facility for current
and future residents.
Dorothy Place has received
a total of $267,377 from the home fund and will also be accepting an additional
$100,000 of federal funds to put towards this restoration project. The
Opportunity Council applied for this maintenance and is responsible for the
housing complex. The home fund is to be used to help a variety of other
projects like production, preservation, and homebuyer ones. The fund is
expected to help low-income families, veterans, and the homeless.
“We are starting to
work on this project right away. We have up to two years to finish this work
but hope to be done by next year,” said Jon Martin, the facilities manager of
The Opportunity Council.
The facility is for
women and children who are survivors of domestic violence. It is a transitional
housing facility where women who are homeless can stay for up to two years, but
most women move out before two years, according to Debbie Paton, The
Opportunity Council director of community services.
Sixteen years ago, the
21-unit facility was built and The Opportunity Council has since compiled a
list of maintenance and repairs that it can now get started on. New cement
stairwells and landings are a top priority and the improvements should last for
at least 50 years, according to the associate director of The Opportunity
Council, Sheri Burgler Emerson.
“The concrete landings
are failing due to an inadequate initial design when it was built 16 years
ago,” said Emerson.
Ensuring efficiency and
quality is an important aspect for the updates. The building heat pump and
central heating distribution system needs to be updated to more effectively
heat all the apartment units. Other miscellaneous work to be done are painting,
replacing appliances, putting in new flooring, and new economical lighting.
Most of the work is intended to be done when tenants move out and before new tenants
move in according to Martin.
“We might possibly have
to relocate someone for one night, for example if we’re pouring concrete in
front of their door, but we plan to do most of the work inside the apartments
as people move out and before a new tenant moves in,” said Martin.
Several other projects
applied for funding as well. Each project submitted to receive money from the
Home Fund Project was scored by city of Bellingham staff, Whatcom County
Housing Specialist and Bellingham’s Housing Development Fund Loan Review
Board. Dorothy Place was ranked number
two of three preservation projects in order of priority. This ranking was based
on population served, need, extended affordability, building improvements and
cost effectiveness.
Not only does Dorothy
Place house women and children, but it also has set up helpful services for the
tenants to take advantage of. The housing facility has support services which include
case management, vocational classes and goal setting. They even provide
assistance for the children. Activities for children include developing skills
and learning to respect themselves and others.
The Opportunity Council,
whose offices are located in downtown Bellingham, is grateful for the available
funds so they are able to adequately serve the people of Bellingham.
“We appreciate that
this funding is available to do these repairs now and preserve this building
and the services it provides for our community,” said Emerson.
The council is one of
1,000 private, non-profit Community Action Agency nationwide. Their goal is
assist those who are homeless or are low-income families and individuals in
Whatcom County. They address needs ranging from food, emergency shelter, and
eviction-prevention, to early childhood education and home weatherization. The
council was founded in 1965 and began as a grassroots organization and is now
able to help thousands of Whatcom County citizens.For additional information on the different projects that were awarded funding, visit the city of Bellingham website by clicking the link below.
