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Trying to Build

Housing in a

Small Town

Epicenter’s Canal Commons affordable

housing project in Green River

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  1. Epicenter’s prior work
  2. Acquiring public land for affordable housing
  3. Engaging the public on the project design
  4. Accessing funding sources
  5. Community conversations on housing
  6. Recent public engagement on home design

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Green River has:

  • 847 year-round residents (according to the 2020 census)
  • Relatively close proximity to recreation destinations (Arches NP, Canyonlands NP, Goblin Valley SP, Capitol Reef NP, San Rafael Swell, Lake Powell, and the Green river -Gray, Desolation, Labyrinth, and Stillwater canyons)
  • A growing amount of visitors and residents overflowing from Moab
  • An economy dominated by the hospitality industry

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Epicenter partnered with the City to create the Housing Element of the City’s General Plan, supplemented with data we collected.

The Fix It First program provided low interest microloans and labor to mitigate dilapidated homes.

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  • 2019 - City of Green River released an RFP to develop affordable housing on recently donated land

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  • 2019 - Epicenter’s proposal for 10 houses and a park was selected

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  • 2020 - Epicenter provided in-kind grant-writing and design services to the City in lieu of cash

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  • 2020 - The project was designed and funded

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  • 2024 - After delays from COVID-19, price escalation, and re-securing funding, we’re about to break ground on Phase 1

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Epicenter held an open house with a variety of non-intimidating ways for residents give input on home design.

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  • 10 units total
    • 5 rentals
    • 5 for-sale
  • Shared open space connected to the new park (in addition to private yards for each house)

Phase 1 (5 Rental Units)

Phase 2 (5 For-Sale Units)

Phase 3

(The Commons)

Pearl Baker Park

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Phase 1

  • 2-bed/1-bath units (3x)
    • $746/month (40% AMI)
  • 3-bed/2-bath units (2x)
    • $992/month (46% AMI)

Phase 1 (5 Rental Units)

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Phase 1

  • 2-bed/1-bath units (3x)
    • $746/month (40% AMI)
  • 3-bed/2-bath units (2x)
    • $992/month (46% AMI)

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Total Project Budget: $1,941,440

Hard Costs: $1,267,409

Soft Costs: $674,031

Lender/Grantor

Amount

Type of Funding

Olene Walker Housing Loan Fund (OWHLF)

$1,173,705

Deferred loan with 1.5% interest and 40 year term

Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC)

$300,000 (pays for construction loan minus interest)

Capital Magnet Funds loan with 0% interest and 60 year term

Emery County (CRA Board Solar $)

$142,735

Grant

Federal Home Loan Bank-Des Moines

$150,000

Grant

Ivory Foundation

$10,000

Grant

Rocky Mountain Community Reinvestment Corporation (RMCRC)

$2,500

Donation

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Epicenter partnered with the John Wesley Powell River History Museum for the first in a series of “community conversations” about housing and how Green River might develop

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  • Olene Walker Housing Loan Fund (OWHLF)
  • Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC)
  • Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines and Zions Bank
  • Emery County
  • City of Green River
  • Community Impact Board Fund (CIB)
  • Enterprise Community Partners
  • Rocky Mountain Community Reinvestment Corporation (RMCRC)
  • National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
  • WESTAF
  • ASSIST Inc
  • AARP
  • Ivory Foundation

Find out more at https://canalcommons.ruralandproud.org/

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Thanks to all who have supported Canal Commons and Pearl Baker Park!

  • David, Sherrie & Shaleane Gee family
  • State Farm
  • Union Pacific Foundation
  • Wells Fargo Foundation
  • Rocky Mountain Power Foundation
  • American Express
  • UServeUtah
  • Dominion Energy
  • Colorado River & Trails Expeditions (CRATE)
  • Utah Division of Arts & Museums
  • Utah Humanities
  • USU Extension
  • Sorenson Legacy Foundation
  • The Corporation for National and Community Service (“AmeriCorps”)
  • Many private donors