By Paul Fischburg and Amanda Lynn
San Juan Community Home Trust
It has been an eventful year at the San Juan Community Home Trust, and for access to permanently affordable housing for low- and moderate-income islanders. It’s important for our community to know what a positive impact support for the Home Trust’s mission has had – and will continue to have, despite some near-term transitions.
First, the successes.
After two years of significant challenges for our projects, the Home Trust has completed important work with the Town of Friday Harbor and with San Juan County:
● A settlement agreement has been negotiated with the Town on the HolliWalk neighborhood affordable housing project, with a foreseeable path toward selling these homes within the next six months.
● A development agreement for the Argyle 40-unit affordable rental project has been signed by The Home Trust, the Town, and the County, and we have a highly skilled, experienced project manager in place to help us maintain important momentum and continuity as this important community project moves forward!
● We have a strong $13 million capital funding application into the State Housing Trust Fund for the Argyle Project, with a funding announcement scheduled for Jan. 15, 2026.
This is tremendous progress that will hugely benefit our community. You can expect ongoing updates about all of this, including community meetings.
Now for the transition news.
After several meaningful and productive years as the Home Trust’s executive director, Amanda Lynn has made the difficult decision to pursue her personal goals off the island. As the Board of Directors and for the whole organization, we support Amanda’s decision and are deeply grateful to her. She has ably led the growth and development of the Home Trust since 2021. Amanda has given the Board ample time to adjust. Her plan to continue working temporarily with an interim executive director will bring stability and continuity – and will allow a seamless transition.
The Board – which includes a healthy mix of long-term and newly joined members with a variety of relevant skills and experiences – has appointed a transition team that includes staff members and key partners. The transition team is designing a thorough, thoughtful plan and working with an executive search firm to identify a permanent executive director.
In the meantime, the Board has named Paul Fischburg, its current president, to step in as interim executive director, working closely with Amanda until she secures new employment and until a permanent executive director is in place. Board Vice President Rachel Brooks will serve as President during this interim period.
In addition to passion and commitment, Paul brings to the organization 25 years in community development, including co-founding the Northwest’s first cohousing community and serving 11 years as executive director of a nonprofit that developed $40 million in affordable housing and community facilities.
With a culture of engagement and collaborative decision-making, a clear path forward and a seasoned project manager in Karl Eberhard, on the development of the Argyle project, and several other significant opportunities for growth and development, a new executive director will be stepping into an environment of strength and possibility.
Many thanks to all who believe in our mission and have helped our important projects advance. This is what it looks like when community members care for one another and work to ensure vitality for all.
