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Show NewsSeat Thursday, May 22, 2003 Davis County Clipper Transitional, low income housing coming TOM BUSSELBERG BY Clipper News Editor - CLEARFIELD In an effort to offer a leg up, the Family Connection Center, here has approved development of a 36-uapartment complex It will serve residents, as well as six households that are in the process of transition from homelessness to stability by increasing their education to achieve skills that will allow for ongoing employment. Director Sharon Anderson said a location has yet to be selected, but she said the need is still there in the county for such a facility. Just one indicator is the Davis School District's identification of more than 1.100 children last year classified as homeless While most had roofs over their heads, it meant they moved more than three times in one year. That could be prompted by families not being able to pay rent and relocating, or staying with family and friends for a few months, then having to move on The complex will include a community room with a kitchen where life skills can be taught, from cooking to communication skills and how to get along The transitional families will probably include single parents, usually women, who have had to leave abusive relationships and start over That often means learning an employable skill, and can also involve learning how to live independently of a spouse This (apartments) still allows the moms to be a little more independent and ties with a need to be able to afford it, Anderson said Because theyre aiming out of such controlling situations such as domestic violence or abuse, this means they can do something in their own apartments But the fact is they still need a lot of support, she said It's really a nice piece of the other village concept, she said This should be a great addition to our county! she said, adding, All of us where we have kids who are getting out on their own know how hard it is Just the cost of apartments is terrible. Rent and utilities will be linked to tenants income, going no higher than 30 percent of money coming in. The average apartment in the county is going three-bedroo- for $850 a month, while it's $750 for a Ken Adamson, Family homeless Center Connection coordinator, said traditionally, most developers have looked at the countys median income and built $60,000 per year m apartments and rent structures accordingly Based on the 30 percent rentutihty standard of total mean income, that would $18,000 could go for those expenses per year for rent and utilities Nobody can afford that who would be likely to rent, he said, while those who can, usualhomes ly buy single-famil- y rather than rent an apartment. It (affordable housing) is looking up as more developers see a need for it. They're starting to cap some of their apartment rents For example, some are targeting those at 50 percent of median, or $30,000 per year That would allow $10,000 disposable income for rentutili-tie- s More developers are looking at that. They can tax credits if they keep rent at an affordable rate, Adamson said low-inco- School District, Davis teachers like contract BY MELINDA WILLIAMS Clipper Stuff Writer FARMINGTON - Neither to release details of the contracts between the Davis School Davis and the District Education Association the of Representatives and the teacher's union F mploy ees Gassified Association attended the board of education meeting, indicating then- support for contracts affecting both groups, but no one was willing to comment on the details until teachers and classified employees ratify their contracts next week However, both district officials and DEA officials almost gushed at the spirit of collaboration between administrators and union representatives, m what is often an antagonist situation. In presenting the contract to for preliminary the board Assistant Supt Lynn approval, Trenbeath said, Every year, I think this is the best year ever, (for negotiations) and every year it gets better DEA executive director Kathleen Leatham agreed, saying My counterparts elsewhere cant believe the cooperation They think the distnct must be pulling the wool over my eyes, and Im sure theyre (distnct administrators) heanng the same thing from their counterparts" She said after the two groups meet to ratify the contracts, details will be released What is known is that other distncts are offenng minimal increases, and that the Davis distnct is faang higher insurance premiums, which will have to be passed on to educators. The distnct also has also had to make cuts in some positions side was willing Tuesday Our Best rarrr U- - cost-of-hvi- T r be tire smart Ail GUM on ploy your ROTATION PART ( ussenvzn 1 i r-- 'j lAiLJl AIR CHECKS TREAD I P"jrv r J TIRE INSPECTIONS |