The City of Redmond has decided to keep some old drug houses and convert them to rentals to help a local non-profit program.

 

The Redmond City Council voted for the idea Tuesday morning.  The Partnership is with Housing Works and Youth Build.  Mayor George Endicot says the agreement calls for a five year lease.  He spoke with 1110 KBND news shortly after the council meeting. 

 

 "and so they are going to completely rehab the houses and we have a program in redmond where people can learn to be a home-owner so these houses will be used by "housing works"  by renters who are anticipating home ownership - they can come in and take care of the houses- and so its a win-win for everyone."

 

Youth Build is a program that teaches at-risk youth construction skills.  Under the drug forfeiture laws, if the city were to sell the homes they would be forced to give 40 percent of the profits to the County and to the State.

 

 "WE'RE GOING TO PARTNER WITH HOUSING WORKS AND YOUTH BUILD- AND WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO- WE HAVE 2 HOUSES WE GOT LAST YEAR AS THE RESULT OF DRUG RAIDS- AND THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE "YOUTH BUILD" COME IN AND RE-FURBISH THESE HOUSES- THEY WERE USED AS GROW HOUSES- FOR POT I GUESS."  

 

The lease agreement is for five years and after that time period the city can re-evaluate to see if they want to keep leasing out the homes.  Housing Works is paying the city $1 a year for each house and they intend to cover maintenance and other costs associated with the houses.  Redmond  may also benefit by waiting for several years when the housing market is likely to be stronger.