Energy efficiency upgrades transform affordable housing complex

When Terri Baird moved to Spokane with her 13-year-old son, she needed an affordable place to stay. As a single mom, she was looking to make a fresh start.

After calling several apartment facilities, she discovered Pine Villa Apartments, located at the Division Street intersection called the "Y."

Since Terri qualified for a federal rental assistance program, which ensures she doesn't pay more than 30% of her income on rent and utilities, she could afford an apartment at Pine Villa.

Pine Villa is one of the oldest permanent affordable housing communities in Spokane County. In the early 2000s, Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners (SNAP) acquired the 50-unit complex.

"We acquired Pine Villa because it provides affordable housing for our community, which can be hard to find. We need to preserve what we have," said John Hoover, SNAP director of housing services.

Rising maintenance costs and deteriorating living conditions at the 50-year-old complex led SNAP to seek help funding extensive updates to the apartment complex.

"It has not had a complete renovation since it was built in 1974. It was becoming too expensive to maintain," said Nate Alexandrovich, SNAP asset manager.

The community action agency started conversations with Avista, who supported the project with a Named Communities Investment Fund (NCIF)* grant and other energy efficiency rebates and incentive programs.

"We have a long history with SNAP, and it's an important partnership for us," said Avista Energy Efficiency Program Manager Ana Matthews. "Avista was the starting point for getting the project going. Since then, other funding sources have come into play."

The five-building development is undergoing a multi-phase renewal over the upcoming year. Phase one includes replacing the windows and exterior doors and installing ventilation fans with energy-efficient products. It also improves insulation in the walls, roof, and crawl spaces.

Phase two focuses on replacing the roof and exterior siding, upgrading the outdated heating system with individually metered high-efficiency heat pumps and installing air conditioners. Installing the new meters and HVAC system allows individual households to gain control of their energy usage and bills. With their own Avista accounts, they can access the utility's bill assistance programs.

"Plus, it ensures renters have their own electricity and don't have to worry if the building can handle any extra draw on the system," said Nate.

A separate project underway is installing solar panels on the tops of the facility's carports to further increase energy efficiency for tenants.

Together, all these updates make the apartments more energy-efficient, comfortable, and safe, especially during extreme weather.

"The Pine Villa project was possible because of the commitment from private funders like Avista and public funders like Spokane County," said Nate. "Our work is focused primarily on providing a more energy-efficient, green building for people to live in that allows for long-term resilience against extreme weather events."

John estimates the project's first two phases will be completed by the end of 2024. "I tell people about Avista all the time. From my position, our partnership is important. They always want to help."

"I'm grateful for Pine Villa and the improvements being made," said Terri. "I want to be proud of where I live."

Avista's Named Communities Investment Fund (NCIF) was approved by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission as part of the company's Clean Energy Implementation Plan (CEIP) to meet compliance targets for the state's Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA, 2019). The NCIF will invest up to $5 million annually in projects, programs, and initiatives that benefit Avista's Washington electric customers residing in historically disadvantaged and vulnerable communities (i.e., "Named Communities"). Community-based projects will be selected for funding through a competitive grant application process. Application information and eligibility guidelines can be found at myavista.com/NCIF.