Home Trust looks at bigger role in affordable housing

Published 2:25 pm Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Submitted by the San Juan Community Home Trust

The San Juan Community Home Trust has successfully launched two “permanently affordable” neighborhoods on San Juan Island: the Salal neighborhood on Carter Avenue, with 15 individual homes, and the Sun Rise 1 neighborhood on Grover Street, with 14 condominium homes. The Home Trust is currently developing Sun Rise 2, a neighborhood with 12 more affordable homes utilizing previously owned homes purchased through Nickel Brothers Moving.

In the recent update of its strategic plan, the Board of the Home Trust has broadened its mission and will be studying other ways to create affordable housing on San Juan Island, with its first focus being rental housing.

“San Juan Island is experiencing the same affordable housing issues that are being seen all across the country,” Home Trust Board president Sarah Crosby said. “Diversity in our community is critical and we need to encourage that diversity by making housing available for people from all walks of life. We recognize that an ‘affordable home’ is one that is safe, comfortable and permanently affordable, whether as a homeowner or renter. With this in mind, we will be studying ways to add affordable rental units to the Home Trust’s portfolio.”

As part of its inquiry, the Home Trust will be reviewing the efforts of other community land trusts that have developed affordable rental units, including those on Orcas and Lopez.

For more information on the San Juan Community Home Trust and opportunities for those seeking affordable housing, contact executive director Nancy DeVaux at 378-5541.