Jeff Humphrey, Media Manager, 509.625.6308
Thursday, July 28, 2022 at 2:23 p.m.
The City of Spokane is clearing the way to make better use of the limited amount of land available for new housing.
In mid-July, the Spokane City Council unanimously approved permitting construction of multi-family homes on lots previously zoned for a single residence.
The change in building regulations allows the Anna Schindler Foundation to move forward with its plans to provide more free housing for families who travel to Spokane so their children can receive treatment for cancer.
“So, with the vote last night, it catapulted us forward. We can build four units, to help four pediatric oncology families and not have to wait,” said Polly Schindler.
Schindler’s seven-year-old daughter Anna, died of liver cancer in 2010.
Since that time, the Anna Schindler Foundation has built a pair of duplexes called “Anna’s Homes” on 28th Avenue. The foundation owns an adjacent, vacant quarter acre lot and now plans to construct an additional fourplex.
“So, Anna’s Homes really caters to these families. And we just try to wrap them in love and hope while they’re here. Because, it is, very, very hard during cancer treatment,” stressed Schindler.
One of those families includes the Hudons from Pasco, Washington whose son Carter, is receiving cancer treatment
“It was just one less thing we had to deal with. One less fear. So, we could just focus on Carter and his treatment,” explained Carter’s mother, Michelle Hudon.
The development code amendments could also lead to more affordable housing.
Realtor Eric Tucker owns a vacant piece of property on the Division Street hill and now, because of code revisions, plans to build a duplex instead of a single family home.
“The efficiencies of building a duplex, to a fourplex, is going to be significantly different than a single family home. And also, rents will be lower due to the fact that it’s a multi-family, versus single family home,” predicted Tucker.
These changes to residential development rules are intended to create building opportunities and choices for all.
For more information on the initiative, visit the City of Spokane’s website.
