Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Construction has started on affordable housing for refugees, the homeless and low-income Utahns in East Millcreek.
Nearly one-third of the 136 units at Bud Bailey Apartments will be designated for refugees. They will likely inhabit many of the larger apartments, which are often difficult to find in the Salt Lake Valley.
"It's not only the right thing to do, it's lifesaving and life-rebuilding," said Patrick Poulin, resettlement director of the International Rescue Committee in Salt Lake City, one of several organizations that help refugees transition to Utah.
It's not only the right thing to do, it's lifesaving and life-rebuilding.
–Patrick Poulin
The Salt Lake Tribune reports the complex is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2012. It will also include 10 apartments for homeless youth and five apartments for homeless families. The rest of the roughly 207,000-square-foot green complex, which will draw much of its power from solar panels, will be available for any low-income population.
The project's first phase of 59 units and a community center will be completed by Dec. 31, 2011.
Funding for the $23 million complex will come from federal stimulus dollars, low-income tax credits and Olene Walker Housing Loan Fund money.
Housing officials celebrated the groundbreaking Tuesday by discussing the life of Bud Bailey, a housing advocate and philanthropist who recently died at 76.
Bailey was chairman of the Salt Lake County Housing Authority board of commissioners and helped with homeless housing projects in the past several years.
"Without Bud's vision, we would not be where we are today," said Pamela Atkinson, the homeless advocate who ran Tuesday's celebration. "I think Bud is here in spirit."
Bailey's wife, Judy, spoke briefly before shovels hit the ground.
"He would be thrilled to death to have his name on this project," she said. "I will love driving by and seeing it."
------
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
