Second wave of homeowners receive keys to houses in Post Falls neighborhood

POST FALLS — Houses and babies are booming in the Miracle on Britton neighborhood in Post Falls, where five families received keys to their new homes Thursday during a celebration barbecue.

Those in the second wave of Britton homeowners have young children, brand-new babies or babies on the way, making the innovative neighborhood a boon to the hardworking young parents in need of a little more room.

Kelsie Barber, who is moving into Britton with husband Justin Barber and their 8-month-old son, Landon, had this thought as the festivities commenced: "That we made it."

"I feel a little bit of success," she said with a giggle.

Justin said he was feeling relieved.

"It's a lot more space," he said. "With the little one, our apartment was getting a little cramped."

The Barbers, who work in the medical field and law enforcement, are saying goodbye to a roughly 1,000-square-foot apartment and hello to a three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom home of just more than 1,500 square feet.

"We have a spare bedroom now," Kelsie said, still smiling. "And it's not a nursery and a spare bedroom."

Miracle on Britton, situated off Greensferry Road between Poleline and Prairie avenues in Post Falls, launched three years ago. The Panhandle Affordable Housing Alliance purchased 28 lots in August 2023 through a promissory note carried by the seller, which is being paid back as the homes sell. Just more than $1 million was required to build the homes and a neighborhood park. All 28 homes and the park are expected to be completed by summer 2026.

A big highlight of the evening was the announcement of a $125,000 matching donation to the Britton project from the Marcus Anderson Family Foundation, a private local foundation that focuses on various initiatives, including affordable housing. This means now through Dec. 31, every dollar given up to $125,000 will be matched, so gifts will go twice as far to build homes and strengthen the community. 

PAHA's Shannon Tait read a statement from foundation President Marcus Anderson regarding the match.

"Affordable housing is the foundation of strong, thriving communities — and we believe deeply in the work PAHA is doing to create long-term, sustainable solutions for individuals and families," she read to the crowd. "Our matching donation reflects our confidence in their leadership, their vision and the real, measurable change they are driving every day.

"We are excited for all that’s ahead and look forward to seeing the momentum continue to grow. Everyone deserves a place to call home, and we’re proud to support PAHA’s commitment to making that possible for more families."

PAHA Executive Director Maggie Lyons expressed her gratitude to all of the project's supporters throughout the celebration event, sharing that the Marcus Anderson Family Foundation's match and subsequent generous donations received will help Britton get across the finish line.

"Britton is a blueprint," Lyons said. "It's to show our cities, our state, our builders and the citizens that it can be done."

She said everyone is feeling encouraged about the project; four builders have stepped up and said they would commit between 5-10% of their next developments to the special Britton model.

The Britton concept includes deed-restricted, shared-equity homes. The deed restrictions entail that only applicants of certain incomes will be accepted for homeownership. The homes have to be occupied by the owners, and a resale formula means wealth creation will generate while the homes are protected from market pricing. Program details can be found at pahaid.org.

"This is how we will start really start putting homeownership back in the hands of the local workforces by the private market driving it, as long as our cities and our state help with some cost-reduction incentives," Lyons said.

    PAHA Executive Director Maggie Lyons, far left, raises her hand as she and the second wave of Miracle on Britton homebuyers are pictured Thursday during a celebration barbecue and key turnover in the Post Falls neighborhood.
  

    McKenna and Kyle Parrish with new baby Everett smile as they receive the keys to their new home from PAHA's Amie Pace during a celebration Thursday in the Miracle on Britton neighborhood in Post Falls.