BHT bids farewell to old duplex

With a mighty crunch, the jaws of the machinery tore into the gaping hole that had already been made into a duplex owned by Bonner Homeless Transitions.

Aging and in need of major repairs, the board recently voted to tear the structure at the intersection of S. Florence and Michigan down in order to build multiple one-bedroom apartments at the site. The building needed a host of critical — and expensive — repairs, including damage caused by frozen pipes this past winter, board president Barb Oler said.

"It had just become an unhealthy living situation," Oler said. "A lot of kicking that can down the road, a lot of deferred maintenance, and, with older houses like that, if you don't keep up, little problems become big problems."

Estimates placed the possible cost of renovations at hundreds of thousands of dollars. It became a matter of where the board could get the most value for its money and help the most people at the same time.

"We have some flooding issues and frozen pipes from this last winter," Oler said. "And I think that was kind of our big deciding factor: Instead of replacing something 100-plus years old, we probably need to start moving forward."

While ultimately deciding it was necessary, Oler said it was a tough decision for the board to make and one that members discussed extensively.

After making the decision, the board contacted local firefighters, who trained in the house for several weeks, having Oler said, "a heyday," cutting and tearing into walls, throwing smoke bombs around, and simulating any number of scenarios they might run into. However, the firefighters were unable to do a controlled burn on the home. That was when Bonner Homeless Transitions turned to Jim Woodward, who said he was happy to help out.

Apex Construction, which donated its services, began tearing down the two-story, tan duplex Wednesday and completed the project Thursday. All the program had to do was pay its disposal fees.

They can't, Oler said, thank him enough.

"He's a great guy like that," she added, noting he has volunteered on similar projects in the past.

Oler said the board explored numerous options over the past several years, even looking at a possible renovation of the building. However, the cost of doing so compared to building apartments swayed the board toward tearing the building down. By doing so, the board president said, they can create more homes for more people — homes that are safe and can be a home for someone in crisis.

"They're our friends. They're our neighbors," Oler said. "They're our community. And so, just because they're in a tough spot, they don't deserve less."

The transitional housing program serves roughly 40 people between Blue Haven and Blue Haven North, the former Kinderhaven facility leased to BHT. By starting with a fresh slate on the duplex site and building on a third lot on the other side of the Blue Haven property, Oler said Bonner Homeless Transitions will be able to help more people.

A former location in the Trestle Creek area is in the process of being listed, with funds going toward BHT's other projects. Oler said the board hopes that once the property is sold, they will be able to find an architect to help them map out how to best utilize the Sandpoint property.

"Within the next year, I would like to get the ball rolling, and hopefully within the next three to five years have both of our lots developed so we can have more housing," Oler said.

All of its available spaces are committed, and BHT has a significant waiting list. Each day, Oler said, it seems like the program gets calls asking if space is available.

"I feel like there's calls all the time," she said. "It's the hidden homeless. Right now, they're camping, and they're just waiting. They don't have a family to support them."

For some, they don't want to give up a pet and can't find a place that will let them have their dog or cat. For others, they love their job but can't find an affordable place to live. Some move in with friends or couch surf from place to place; some move in with family members.

"It's a struggle (for young people) to live here, and we're going to lose them because they have to go somewhere else to afford a house or a life," Oler said.

Bonner Homeless Transitions can be found online at bonnerhomelesstransitions.org or by calling 208-265-2652.

    Jim Woodward of Apex Construction Services maneuvers into position to tear down an aging duplex owned by Bonner Homeless Transitions. The site will eventually be home to multiple one-bedroom apartments, allowing the transitional housing program to help even more in the community.
  

    Owned by Bonner Homeless Transitions, the building was torn down after necessary repairs were cost-prohibitive. The site will eventually be home to multiple one-bedroom apartments, allowing the transitional housing program to help even more in the community.
  

    Jim Woodward of Apex Construction Services maneuvers into position to take a chunk out of an old duplex at Florence and Michigan. The site will eventually be home to multiple one-bedroom apartments, allowing the transitional housing program to help even more in the community.