The Weekly Paper for October 27th, page 6
by Karen Bossick
Andrew and Kristal Schiers have a brand spanking new home by the bike path in Hailey.
And they have a unique opportunity to see what went into building their home as they watch a second identical home being built next door.
The Schiers are the proud recipients of the Sun Valley area’s latest energy-efficient affordable home. The project was unique to the area in that it involved a single-family residence, rather than a townhome or condo.
The home at Walnut Street and Fifth Avenue South was built by ARCH Community Housing Trust. Blaine County and fiber optic telecommunications provider Syringa Networks provided the land. Idaho Housing and Finance Association (IHPA) and RCAC came up with the construction loans. And former ARCH board member Lesley Andrus provided significant financial support in securing a grant while the City of Hailey processed the permit application.
Eight-year-old Rhuivnyin Schiers cut the gold ribbon stretched across the front porch, while 6-year-old Qwydion and 3-year-old Kjedwryne looked on.
Andrew Schiers, who grew up in the Wood River Valley, works at the Blaine County detention center. He and his wife would not have been able to buy their own home had they gone the conventional route, he said.
“I can’t wait to move in,” said Kristal Schiers, eyeing the shiny new kitchen sink and countertop.
“It’s beautiful,” said Schiers’ friend Colleen Kelly as she inhaled the smell of fresh paint.
“Ohmygosh, the yard is beautiful, too!”
The 1,200-square-foot, threebedroom, two-bath house built by Farnham Construction was appraised for $175,000, said Michelle Griffith, executive director of ARCH. It could cost the Shiers as little as $110,000, depending on their income.
A family has already been selected for the second house from Blaine County Housing Authority’s community home applicant pool. ARCH hopes to complete the home by the end of the year.
ARCH board members are Rebekah Helzel, Tom Harvey, Jim Moore, Prue Hemmings, Thad Farnham, Nancy Ray, Derek Williams and Dave Theobald. Rhuivnyin, Qwydion, Kristal, Kjedwryne and Andrew Schiers are joined by Bonnie Ann Moore and Kathy Grotto, both representatives from the Blaine County Housing Authority, at the ribbon-cutting.