2 Iron County organizations jointly receive $6 million grant to purchase affordable housing

Left: Iron County Care and Share building, Cedar City, Utah, Sept. 15, 2022. Right: Canyon Creek Services building, Cedar City, Utah, Sept. 16, 2022 | Photos by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

CEDAR CITY — Two Iron County organizations have been announced as joint recipients of a $6 million grant from the American Rescue Plan and the Utah Office of Homeless Services to create more affordable housing in Cedar City and surrounding communities.

Outgoing Iron County Care and Share executive director Peggy Green talks about her new position with the Utah Office of Homeless Services, Cedar City, Utah, Sept. 15, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

Iron County Care and Share and Canyon Creek Services have partnered with third-party group NetGain Property Management to purchase an existing apartment building that will add much-needed affordable housing for the area, according to a news release issued via email on Thursday from Business Wire.

“This grant helps Care and Share continue assisting underserved members of the community,” said Peggy Green, whose last day as executive director of Iron County Care and Share was Thursday. Green said she is leaving that job after six and a half years to take a position with the Utah Office of Homeless Services.

“We are now able to both refer those who come to us to the housing facility and also have better resources available to provide food and other necessities,” Green said, adding that the grant represents the largest single dollar amount ever invested in affordable housing in Iron County.

“It will make a huge impact in our ability to help families, veterans and others who face homelessness,” Green added.

Kait Sorensen, executive director for Canyon Creek Services, which assists and provides services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, spoke about the 30-unit apartment complex that is expected to be purchased with the grant money.

“It’s a partnership grant for deeply affordable housing units in the form of an apartment complex,” Sorensen told Cedar City News on Thursday. “We’ll be able to have 10 units set aside for our clients to use at a deeply affordable rate, which really helps some of our survivors get into safe and independent housing.”

An additional 10 units will be for people receiving services from Iron County Care and Share, Sorensen added, noting that the remaining 10 units in the complex will be rented at fair market value, which she said will support the project and help make it independently sustainable.

“It is a much-needed thing for our community and our organization, specifically,” Sorensen added.

Shannon Smith, housing coordinator for Canyon Creek Services, said the new owner organizations are not planning on kicking out existing tenants as soon as the property changes hands.

“We don’t want to add to the problem,” Smith said. “So we definitely would let people expire their lease and then let them know that we’re not going to renew, and move (other) people into such units.”

“Some of them probably will still qualify, because most of the community here is at or below the poverty level,” Smith added.

Officials noted that the units designated as “deeply affordable” are intended for people with an annual income of less than $25,000.

Derek Morton of NetGain Property Management, Cedar City, Utah, May 20, 2021 | File photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

Derek Morton, owner and principal broker for NetGain Property Management, said the actual purchase of the apartments hasn’t happened yet but is still in the process of negotiations. Still, he said he expects a deal to be reached soon.

“Realistically, this project is game-changing for both organizations,” Morton told Cedar City News on Thursday. “It gives us opportunities to be a little bit more self-sufficient and really be able to just try to solve the problems on our own. That’s what’s really exciting about it.”

“We are always looking for solutions to housing struggles locally, to bring heart to the housing industry,” Morton added. “This grant makes those goals and hopes a reality. We look forward to aiding both the Care and Share and Canyon Creek Services in providing options to those who are dealing with housing insecurity.”

According to the news release, the organizations’ joint ownership of the property will offer them greater flexibility in helping their clients, while also generating revenue for future programs and projects. The organizations’ willingness to work collaboratively toward long-term solutions was reportedly a major factor in their getting selected for the competitive grant.

“These housing options also benefit vulnerable victims of domestic abuse and expands their options for reaching safety and self-reliance,” the news release added.

Canyon Creek Services director Sorensen emphasized the importance of safe and affordable housing for those in crisis, noting: 

Safe and independent housing is an incredible barrier for survivors who are fleeing abuse. The benefits from this grant allow our organization to provide even more resources and options for those at their most vulnerable, and a more sustainable option for these families to start over and build a new life.

Iron County Care and Share staff members at farewell party for executive director Peggy Green (second from left), Cedar City, Utah, Sept. 15, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

Green, who starts her new job on Monday, said as a program manager for the state’s Office of Homeless Services, she’ll help oversee and work with local homeless councils throughout the state. The office operates within Utah Department of Workforce Services.

Green said she’s especially glad her new position will allow her to continue living in Cedar City, where she’ll mostly work remotely while making occasional, perhaps weekly, trips to Salt Lake City and other areas as needed.

“I am so excited that I get to retain that connection and still be able to assist, obviously, within my home base,” Green told Cedar City News.

The job opening for a new Iron County Care and Share executive director has already been posted. The nonprofit organization, which also serves Beaver, Garfield and Kane counties, provides assistance and resources to individuals and families in need. Until a new director is hired, other staffers and board members will help keep things running smoothly, Green said, adding that she will also help train her successor.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

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