SAN JUAN COMMUNITY HOME TRUST

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County OKs $40K loan for Salal neighborhood

San Juan Home Trust receives $50k forgivable loan

posted 12/23/05
PRESS RELEASE: San Juan Community Home Trust has received a $50,000, interest-free, forgivable loan from Community Frameworks, a regional, non-profit affordable housing organization based in Spokane, WA, with an office in Bremerton, WA. The loan uses funds from its Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP), and will require homebuyers in the five new Phase 2 homes of the Salal Neighborhood in Friday Harbor to contribute 200 hours of "sweat equity" per home.

The loan was issued to the Home Trust on December 15, 2005. Funds will be used to offset the costs of building infrastructure in the Salal neighborhood. The "sweat equity" component will be geared towards finishing the five homes and landscaping the common areas to complete the neighborhood. A portion of the hours may be contributed by designated volunteers.

The five new, perpetually affordable homes are in the Salal Neighborhood, on Carter Avenue in Friday Harbor. They are now under construction and on schedule to be completed by the end of January, 2006. This will bring to a total of 15, the number of homes in Salal, and will complete the first project of the San Juan Community Home Trust.

The homes are being sold to islanders whose income is below 80% of the area median income. Of the five homes, three are 2-bedroom homes selling for $125,000, and two are 3-bedroom homes, one of which is wheelchair accessible, selling for $135,500. One three bedroom homes is still available to an eligible family. Please call the Home Trust at 378-5541 for information on how to apply.

All fifteen of these homes will be perpetually (i.e.forever) affordable. The Home Trust provides a one-time subsidy to the cost of land, infrastructure and construction, and homebuyers restrict the eventual resale price of the home. Increase in resale price is restricted by a formula tied to the area median income, thereby insuring that the homes will continue to be available to working islanders in the future.

Home Trust meets challenge grant goal

Roger and Claudia Salquist present a check to Nancy DeVaux.

posted 10/25/05
San Juan Community Home Trust reached its goal of fundraising more than $100,000 from the community to complete the construction of five new affordable homes in the Salal Neighborhood on Carter Avenue in Friday Harbor. Board member Roger Salquist and his wife Claudia announced a $50,000 challenge grant in August, and the community responded and matched the challenge. The Salquists presented a $50,000 check to Home Trust executive director Nancy DeVaux this week.

"Roger and Claudia’s tremendous generosity made it possible for us to complete Phase 2 of Salal on schedule, and has inspired all of us who are working on creating affordable home ownership on San Juan Island," DeVaux said. And while the Salquists agreed to match contributions for amounts of $500 or more, donations of amounts less than $500 were also matched, due to the generosity of two other board members. The total amount generated during this campaign was $106,916.

The five homes now under construction will complete a total of 15 homes in the Salal Neighborhood of Friday Harbor. The first ten homes have all been sold and are now occupied.

The Home Trust creates perpetually affordable homes by subsidizing land and construction costs with funding from grants and community contributions. This one-time investment, combined with restricting resale prices with a formula based on area median income, allows the Home Trust to insure that these homes will be affordable forever to the wage-earning people of San Juan Island.

Applications are still being accepted from interested homebuyers for these five homes. There are three two-bedroom homes and two three-bedroom homes available. One of the 3-bedroom homes is ADA accessible. The selling prices are $125,000 and $135,500.

Eligibility requirements for homeowners include three years of island residency, a steady income of no more than 80% of the area median income, and having a good credit record and manageable debt. Interested potential homeowners should contact the Home Trust at 378-5541, or through the website at www.hometrust.org.

Home Trust Receives $50K Challenge Grant for Salal Homes

posted 08/23/05
San Juan Community Home Trust will build five homes this fall in the Salal Neighborhood on Carter Avenue in Friday Harbor, to complete a neighborhood of 15 permanently affordable homes. In order to meet a need for community donations, board member Roger Salquist and his wife Claudia have announced a $50,000 challenge grant. The Salquists will match dollar for dollar up to $50,000 any contribution the Home Trust receives in the amount of $500 or more.

The Home Trust makes home ownership possible for low and moderate income families by subsidizing the purchase price. While homes are owned by resident homeowners, the underlying land is retained by the Home Trust and leased to the homeowners through a long term ground lease. Homeowners, who otherwise would be unable to purchase a home on San Juan Island, agree to limit their speculative gain through a resale formula that allows the homes to be resold to subsequent buyers at an affordable price. The five homes to be completed this year will sell from $125,000 to $140,000.

Eligibility requirements for homeowners include three years of island residency, an income of no more than 80 percent of the area median income, and a good credit record. Applications are now being accepted for the Phase 2 homes in Salal, and interested potential homeowners should contact the Home Trust at 378-5541, or via the website at www.hometrust.org.

DeVaux new director of San Juan Home Trust

posted 08/02/05
Nancy DeVaux is the new executive director of the San Juan Island Community Home Trust. She is returning to the island after spending the last few years earning a Master's Degree in political science/environmental policy and teaching credential. DeVaux's 25 years on San Juan Island include 12 years as Director of the Friends of the San Juans.

She is a past member of the Board of the Home Trust and was very active in its formative stages. During frequent island visits, DeVaux kept tabs on the progress of the Home Trust's Salal Neighborhood on Carter Avenue and reports that she has been "impressed with the quality of homes and the people who are working together to bring this vision to a reality."

DeVaux says she "delights in the opportunity to learn more and educate others about the challenges and possibilities for affordable housing in our own community." She "identifies with the working people on San Juan Island who have found the possibility of home ownership diminishing as housing prices have escalated."

DeVaux expects to be in place at the Home Trust office at 435-C Argyle Avenue by mid-August. Among her many priorities, Nancy hopes to focus on the "tremendous potential, as well as serious need, for expansion of San Juan Community Home Trust using innovative ideas and partnerships."

More information about the home trust is available at www.hometrust.org or by emailing info@hometrust.org.

Home Trust won't sell home to new teacher

By Sharon Kivisto

posted 07/21/05
San Juan Community Home Trust has a vacant home and no one on its waiting list. The new Friday Harbor High School science teacher needs to buy a home and was told by a SJCHT staff member his family qualified for the affordable housing program. But the SJCHT's board voted not to waive its three-year residency requirement. So with one month to go before school opens, the teacher does not have housing.

Board member Chris Pope said the home trust board has said the residency requirement would be reduced for teachers. "We never said we would waive them. The staff person said OK, but they were not an official board person," he said. "The board had uneasiness about waiving the residency requirement entirely. The residency requirement is in place, so people just off the boat can't purchase homes. Exceptions can be made on a case by case basis."

School District staff are trying to find housing for the teacher, his wife and their two children. Anyone with information can call the district office at 378.4133.

Islanders Bank helps new homeowners

Carrie Brooks (right) hands homeowner Ladd Holroyd a $5,000 check Saturday, March 5, 2005.

posted 03/08/05
Islanders Bank has given a dozen $5,000 Home$tart grants to county residents in the past year. The grants are for closing costs and down payment assistance, and are matched 3:1 with a savings account held at Islanders Bank. The maximum amount is $5,000. Carrie Brooks, Islanders Bank Loan Officer and Home$tart Grant facilitator for the Federal Home Loan Bank presented new homeowner Ladd Holroyd with a $5,000 grant Saturday, March 5, 2005.

San Juan Community Home Trust Director Scott Boye, board members Chris Pope, Bill Agosta, Allan Roochvang and members of the Community Land Trust Alliance of San Juan County were on hand for the occasion. The alliance held their meeting in Holroyd's new home at the Salal Neighborhood on Carter Avenue in Friday Harbor Saturday morning, March 5, 2005.

Home in time for the holidays

Story and photos contributed by Lee Sturdivant

Board member Peter Kilpatrick hands over keys to Salal home owner Joan Benney

Volunteers and homeowners, Daniel Finn and Daryl Andrews work on Ladd Holroyd's porch at Salal.

posted 12/20/04
"It is so much better than I ever imagined." For San Juan Islanders who have worked several years to build the new Salal Neighborhood in Friday Harbor, new homeowner, Joan Benney’s words and obvious happiness are a sweet reward indeed.

"Such a first effort is probably always the toughest, and always the most rewarding," said Scott Boye, Executive Director of the San Juan Community Home Trust, the group of island volunteers who are now watching with pride as the first ten houses in the Carter Ave. development are occupied by eager new home buyers – all island residents for at least two years.

The Salal Neighborhood is San Juan Island’s first permanently affordable home-ownership project built on the Community Land Trust — a national model used for several years to build such housing on Orcas and Lopez islands.

The modular homes, designed by local architect El Baylis, were stick-built in a factory in British Columbia, delivered to the island by ferry and installed by cranes onto concrete foundations built by local contractors.

Peter Kilpatrick of Ravenhill Construction, and a member of the Home Trust Board, has acted as volunteer project manager overseeing the project. "We are thrilled to be getting these home owners in at last," said Kilpatrick, "and incredibly grateful for the community support that had to be there for this result to occur. But we were also stunned at how tough and hard-won this effort has been. It’s been a steep learning curve for the board and all the volunteers. Our next project should go easier."

Bill Agosta, chair of the Home Trust board, said there will be an open house for interested islanders in the spring, "when the weather and landscaping make it less of a muddy experience." He encouraged all islanders to continue their support of the project (the last five Salal homes will go up next year), to join as Home Trust members and volunteers 378-5541, and to offer whatever talents they can to help keep island home ownership possible for a broader group of islanders. "If we continue working together," he said, "we really can create a more economically diverse and sustainable community.”

Salal homes move into the neighborhood

Photos contributed by Lovel Pratt

One of the three modules belonging to the second home to be set arrives by truck.

The straps to lift the module off the truck are installed.

The module is moved to the foundation.

Almost three years in the making, the Salal Neighborhood is coming to life. The first of the ten homes in phase one was installed Thursday, August 19, 2004. By the end of the day Friday, four homes were in place. The other six will be in place by early next week.

According to San Juan Community Home Trust Treasurer Larry Soll, the first homeowners should be in by the end of September. There are still two phase one homes available. These three-bedroom homes sell for $125,500. Applications may be picked up at the Home Trust office at 435-C Argyle Street (next to the Computer Place) or by calling 378.5541.

Home Trust awarded $225,000 to complete Salal Neighborhood

posted 07/26/04
The San Juan Community Home Trust has been awarded a grant of $225,000 from the Washington State Housing Trust Fund. This grant will provide all but $45,000 needed to complete the Salal Neighborhood, which includes 15 permanently affordable single family detached homes to be sold to wage-earning families in our community. OPAL Community Land Trust (OPAL CLT) has also been awarded funding to support the purchase of land and development of six permanently affordable homes in Deer Harbor on Orcas Island.

"We finally have most of the funding needed to complete the Salal Neighborhood," said Lovel Pratt, Home Trust Director. "We are thrilled that the State Housing Trust Fund chose the Salal Neighborhood as well as OPAL CLT's project. The State recognizes the desperate need for permanently affordable home ownership opportunities here in San Juan County."

"With the Housing Trust Fund award the Home Trust is moving forward with the development of the five remaining houses of the Salal Neighborhood, confident that the San Juan Island Community will come forward with the final $45,000 that we need," said Home Trust Board President, Bill Agosta.

The first ten homes of the Salal Neighborhood, which is located on Carter Avenue in Friday Harbor, will be completed in September. Homebuyers are receiving their mortgage approvals as the foundations for their homes are being poured. The construction of the first ten homes has been completed at the modular factory, and these homes will be set on their foundations in August, 2004.

The Home Trust will ensure permanent affordability by maintaining ownership of the land and selling only the houses, with a lease to the land, to the homebuyers. The ground lease provides some equity gain for homeowners when they choose to sell, while at the same time ensuring that the homes are resold to income eligible buyers at a price that is affordable to those earning less than 80% of the County's median income.

There are two- and three-bedroom Salal Neighborhood homes still available. Salal Neighborhood homes will be certified by Eagle Institute which requires a higher level of indoor air quality, increased energy efficiency, decreased likelihood of mold, and reduced usage of toxic construction materials.

For more information please call the Home Trust office at 360-378-5541 or email: info@hometrust.org.

Home Trust receives grant from Paul Allen

posted 04/30/04
A $35,000 grant from The Paul G. Allen Charitable Foundation provided the last piece of funding for phase one of the San Juan Community Home Trust's Salal Neighborhood project. These ten permanently affordable homes, which will be purchased by wage-earning families, are scheduled to be completed in September of this year.

This grant from The Paul G. Allen Charitable Foundation also provides funding for infrastructure such that Salal Neighborhood residents will be able to have high speed internet access at approximately the same cost as basic dial-up service, providing both educational and economic development opportunities to these families.

Fundraising for phase two of the Salal Neighborhood project is underway with $300,000 needed to complete the remaining five homes.

The Paul G. Allen Charitable Foundation is dedicated to strengthening families and communities in the Pacific Northwest in the areas of the arts, health and human services, science, and technology in education. The Foundation invests in effective organizations that address significant community needs, reflect best practices, leverage public and private resources, and contribute to lasting, positive social change.

Founded in 1988, The Paul G. Allen Charitable Foundation is administered through Vulcan Inc. of Seattle.

Salal neighborhood houses arrive

posted 04/05/04
Future homeowners, San Juan Community Home Trust board members and county Commissioner Darcie Nielsen cheered as the first module of the Salal neighborhood houses arrived Friday, April 2, 2004. There are three modules for the ten homes which make up the first phase of the affordable housing project.

Work is continuing on the Carter Avenue site where the homes will be located. In the meantime, the modules will be stored at Friday Harbor Port property. SJCHT Director Lovell Pratt expects the first family to move in around September 1.

Port permits parking of modulars

posted 03/02/04
Friday Harbor Port Commissioners extended a helping hand to San Juan Island Community Home Trust. Some of the modulars for the trust's first affordable houseing project will be parked on airport property while the site prep work is completed. "It is great, fantastic," said Trust Director Lovell Pratt.

Pratt has been searching for a place to park the modules temporarily. The site work at the Carter Avenue site has been delayed because of wet weather. Friday Harbor residents, Cal and Mary Karen Ryan, have agreed to allow temporary parking of some of the modules on property they own off of Mullis Avenue. With the two sites, Pratt believes the trust will be able to store all ten modular homes.

The ten homes are the first phase of the permanently affordable housing project. Another $220,000 is needed for land acquisition and infrastructure for phase two. Five houses will be built in the second phase.

Residents should be in their new homes in the first phase by September, Pratt said. Interest rates can't be locked in for the loans until more progress has been made. Some of the families are financing partly through the Washington State Housing Finance Commission.

Pratt says the WSHFC has several programs for first-time home buyers - people who haven't owned a home within the past three years. The commission has programs for down payment assistance and for mortgages. Income eligibility guidelines for WSFC are higher than the guidelines required by the trust.

According to the WSHFC Web site applicants are required to attend a commission-sponsored homebuyer education seminar. Pratt is a certified instructor. Anyone interested in more information about the seminar can call her at 378.5541 or email: lovel@hometrust.org.

The Web site details the process: Once you have attended the required Commission-sponsored homebuyer education seminar there are 3 initial steps:

1. Meet with a House Key trained loan officer to determine if you qualify for a mortgage loan according to FHA, VA, RHS, or conventional loan standards.
   
   
2. First-time homebuyer or buying in a targeted area; and
   
   
3. Meet the program income and acquisition cost limits.

The income limits for a family of one or two persons in San Juan County is $61,200. For a family of three or more people the limit is $70,000. The purchase price limit is $230,000 for San Juan County.

Salal Neighborhood Homes Construction Underway with $113,000 - $125,500 Homes Still Available for Purchase

posted 02/17/04
The San Juan Community Home Trust's Salal Neighborhood project is well under way with factory construction of the modules for the first five homes near completion. Home Trust Board Members Peter Kilpatrick (President of Ravenhill Construction, Inc.), Chris Pope (former owner of Pope's Lumber), and Mark Hetrick (President of MH Construction & Design, Inc.) all recently went for an inspection to Britco, the modular factory in Agassiz B.C., where the Salal Neighborhood homes are under construction. All three board members were very impressed with the overall quality of construction and the attention being paid to the details of the design.

"The quality of the construction is higher than that of a custom home because of the fact that the modules have to be transported by truck," said Peter Kilpatrick.

Dave Finet, Director of Energy and Home Repair at the Opportunity Council in Bellingham also made an inspection of the Salal Neighborhood homes. "I was very impressed," said Finet, "Having built many homes and investigated many building failures, I believe these are the highest quality homes I have ever seen. I do not believe you can build a home close to this for the price out in the field. They have a great team at Britco. If we went out to design a home with the building science knowledge we possess, it would be a mirror of these homes."

The Home Trust has received a $74,430 grant from the Opportunity Council for energy efficiency and healthy home components in the Salal Neighborhood homes.

Site work at the Salal Neighborhood is 50% complete, but had to stop for the winter due to the torrential rains. The modules for the first 10 homes will come to the island in April and will be stored at a temporary location until the site work can resume and the foundations are completed. The first 10 homes of the Salal Neighborhood will be ready for purchase by income-qualified residents by September. Five additional homes will be constructed by the end of 2004.

With nine families having completed the pre-qualification process, there is still one of the first 10 homes available for purchase as well as the five homes to be built later this year.

If anyone is interested in more information on purchasing a Salal Neighborhood home ($113,000 for the two-bedroom model and $125,500 for the three-bedroom model) please contact Home Trust Director Lovel Pratt at 378-5541 or lovel@hometrust.org

Home Trust Board Members Peter Kilpatrick, Chris Pope, and Mark Hetrick inspect the exterior of a Salal Neighborhood home second floor module.

Peter Kilpatrick inspects the icynene insulation of a Salal Neighborhood second floor module.

Salal Neighborhood home walls being set at the modular factory, Britco.

Salal Neighborhood home kitchen near completion

Peter Kilpatrick and Mark Hetrick inspect the interior of a Salal Neighborhood home bedroom

Sliding glass door entrance in a Salal Neighborhood home first floor module

• Rent a compact car for $27/day.
  
  
• Pick up Friday noon - 5:30pm, return by noon on Monday for $30!
  
  
• Rent at SeaTac and leave at ferry (no drop fee!).
  
  
• Rent in Anacortes, leave at SeaTac ($35 drop fee).

1. Make reservations by calling Enterprise at (360) 293-4325

2. Tell them your group #45N0945 (San Juan Community Home Trust)

3. Tell them what ferry you will be on.

15% of all car rental costs are donated to The San Juan Community Home Trust to be used to build permanently affordable homes. The trust says "Try it, you'll love it!" Call San Juan Community Home Trust at 360.378.5541

Home trust offers dicount car rentals

posted 06/11/03
"We’re calling it the Cure for Ferry Anxiety program," said Larry Soll, treasurer for the San Juan Community Home Trust in announcing the new Home Trust partnership with Enterprise Rent-A-Car Corp. Any islander can now reserve a car at a discount through Enterprise by using the San Juan Community Home Trust’s special group number.

"Enterprise will meet your ferry in Anacortes and take you to the rental car. On your return, you can leave the car at Charlie’s restaurant lot, put the keys in a lock box and walk on the ferry," said Soll. And for every car rented using the special group number the Home Trust will earn a small commission.

"It’s perfect," said Soll, "if you just need to go for a doctor’s appointment in the summer, or to pick up someone at the airport, and don’t want to worry about getting to the boats on time – or spending hours in the lot waiting. "

The rates negotiated for a compact car are less than the current ferry car and driver rate: $27 per day. Compact weekend packages (from Friday noon to Monday noon) are $30. The Enterprise plan includes unlimited mileage, offers 24-hour roadside assistance, and airport drop offs are only $35 per rental.

"We negotiated with several car agencies," said Soll, "but Enterprise offered the best deal for Islanders. This seemed like a good way for the Home Trust to both earn some money for the permanently affordable home ownership project we are building in Friday Harbor, while offering something we think many islanders can find very useful."

To rent a car, just call the regular Enterprise number in Anacortes: 360.293.4325, give the group number: 45N0945 and give the group name: San Juan Community Home Trust. You can also book online at www.enterprise.com and follow directions for Corporate Class Customers.

Business donates to home trust

posted 02/08/03
Sarah Smith, owner of Sarah by the Sea, a custom sewing business, will donate a portion of her business income to the San Juan Community Home Trust. "If I give a percentage of my actual labor costs, I know I am making a contribution I can afford to a program the island really needs: affordable home ownership," Smith said.

"We're delighted to have businesses choose this way of working together to gain for the community," said Chris Pope, co-chair of the home trust business outreach committee.

"And we're ever appreciative that King's Market first set this example by sharing profits with local non-profits through their receipt program. These programs really work," said co-chair Joanruth Baumann. Both hope Sarah Smith's choice will encourage other local businesses to join in the program.

The Home Trust can be reached at 360.378.5541. Executive Director Lovel Pratt can also be reached at lovel@hometrust.org.

Home trust draws up plans

Conceptual plans for 15 homes to be located on a 2.5 acre parcel on Carter Street are available www.hometrust.org. San Juan Community Home Trust, formerly called San Juan Community Land Trust, received a loan from the Washington non-profit Impact Capital for engineering and preparation of complete construction plans.

A construction grant from the State of Washington was not allotted during the spring round of state funding, primarily due to the short operating history of the organization. An application for the fall round of funds is expected to be much stronger according to the home trust members.

The group also aims to educate the community about the importance of affordable housing to maintaining a healthy community. Membership and community support continue to increase, and as part of these educational efforts, the board recently changed the name in order to reduce confusion between affordable home ownership and other types of land trusts.

An informational mailing will soon be mailed to all San Juan Island residents. Potential homewoners are encouraged to fill out a preapplication, now. Call the Home Trust office, at 360.378.5541 for more information or stop by 435 C Argyle St and talk to Arnie Klaus, the executive director.

Pre-application forms available
for Community Land Trust homes

posted 02/25/02
The San Juan Community Land Trust now has a pre-application form available for eligible island residents who are interested in owning a community land trust home. They can be picked up at the trust's office at 435-C Street in Friday Harbor or at the Menu Bar next door.

The forms can be downloaded from the trust's Web site at hometrust.org

Arnie Klaus, executive director of the San Juan Island Community Land Trust said, "Your early application is essential for us to confirm your interest and to help us submit information to the State of Washington for potential funding of our first project."

End to island shuffle sought

posted 02/24/02
San Juan Community Land Bank Press Release:

He's made a home for himself and his two cats on the island for four years now. The only problem is that in the four years he's called the island home, his home has been taken from him twice. Once it was because the owners wanted to sell the house he lived in. The other time the owners decided he'd done such a great job fixing the place up... they might just as well move in themselves! Ladd Holyroyd is just one of the more than two dozen of islanders who attended the San Juan Island Community Land Trust sponsored workshop on Feb. 7, 2002 one of our neighbors and friends working to break the "island shuffle" pattern.

The group of hopeful homeowners included teachers, artists, laborers and county employees. Over half of the group smiled wryly when asked if they were familiar with the "island shuffle." Half of the crowd had experienced that themselves. Everyone was hopeful of finding a home to call their own.

Long-time islander and accountant Cathy Cavanaugh launched the evening information session by reassuring the group that the IRS is not interested in pursuing them even if they have been off the government radar screen for some time. She said experience has shown her that most people who haven't filed with the IRS are actually owed money because of tax credits. Documenting income is the first step in the most common method of proving to any financial institution that you qualify for a home loan. And it is far less work than finding a third or fourth job to save for future home ownership.

This was Islanders' Bank Loan Officer Carrie Brook's cue. The group listened attentively as Carrie explained the bank's method of evaluating a potential mortgage holder. Carrie summarized the evening With closing statements: "Your life changes when you own your own home. It's worth it. You don't start making money until you own your own home."

The Community Land Trust has proven nationwide to be a successful model for forever affordable homeownership by removing the cost of the land from the home ownership equation. All the community benefits when our neighbors/workers own their own homes. Everyone is invited to support this non-profit organization. For more information please call the office 360.378.5541 or visit our WEB SITE.

Group draws up preliminary designs
for San Juan Island affordable housing

posted 01/25/02
Sketches of affordable housing for Roche Harbor and Friday Harbor were viewed at a San Juan Community Land Trust workshop Jan. 24, 2002. Designs for two and three-bedroom homes were the result of previous brainstorming sessions by the trust board members, architects and community members.

The trust's goal is to create affordable housing by taking the cost of land out of the equation. The land would be set aside forever according to board member Arne Klaus. Residents would purchase homes on the property. "It's not the place for (real estate) speculation," said Klaus. "The residents would get their equity out of the homes."

Drawings showed fifteen single family homes placed on a 2 ½ acre site on Carter Avenue. The plans for the Friday Harbor property were more detailed than the Roche Harbor ones since the trust already has an option on the Carter Avenue property.

A restriction by the property owner limits the number of homes on the site to 15. According to Klaus, the owner wants to ensure the project has single family residences. El Bayliss, one of the architects who has volunteered time, said the higher the number of homes, the lower the site development cost per home.

The forty people in attendance at the Jan. 24, 2002 workshop were reminded the plans were in a very early stage. Suggestions were welcomed. Costing of the project is next on the to do list.

Roche Harbor is in the midst of a Planned Unit Development project. General Manager Brent Snow said the goal is to make the resort resemble a traditional village. Walkability is a driving force. A definable center and a ¼ mile radius are part of the plans. The owners of the resort want to see a range of affordability said Snow. "They are seeking affordable housing mixed in with traditional market-rate housing," he said. "Affordable housing should be a good place to live."

The trust will hold a workshop on financing the purchase of a home on Feb. 7. The goal of the trust is to ideally have people paying 30 percent of their income for their mortgage payment said Klaus.

Design workshop set for Jan. 24, 2002

San Juan Island Community Land Trust 3rd Design Workshop will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, January 24 in the Mullis Center.

Draft site plans and draft house plans for the proposed Carter Street site in Friday Harbor and the Village Core at Roche Harbor will be shown. This work is the result of the December 12, 2001 Design Survey Workshop and the January 12, 2002 Planning Workshop of architects, builders, and potential homeowners. The results are presented for input on Thursday.

Residents are invited to view the potential designs and provide comments and ideas. People who may be looking for a potential home or are interested in helping provide affordable homes for the island are encouraged to attend.

The Land Trust is planning a home Finance Workshop on February 7, 2002 for those who want to prepare to qualify for home loans.

Design workshop considers affordable housing

posted 12/07/01 Richard Hobbs FAIA, noted architect, writer and speaker, will lead the first design workshop for the newly formed San Juan Island Community Land Trust.

The meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, December 12 in the Mullis Center will concentrate on design possibilities in affordable home ownership for the property on Carter Ave, a 2 ½ acre Friday Harbor property on which the local CLT now has an option to purchase.

"We¹ll start with the basics," said Hobbs, "the desired functions and design principles for any house, and then bring it to specific possibilities for this project. What are the criteria we need to consider; what are the visions these possible home owners would like to have honored in this project?" Promising a 'dynamic interchange involving all the participants,' Hobbs, who recently moved to San Juan Island with his wife, Lynn, is serving as a volunteer strategic design advisor to the local CLT. He was a vice-president of the American Institute of Architects in Washington, D.C.

The meeting, which is free and open to the public, is the third one offered here to introduce the island to the ideas behind a Community Land Trust. This type of non-profit community membership organization has already successfully brought scores of much admired, affordable homes to owners on both Lopez and Orcas Islands. Arnie Klaus is the director of the new San Juan Island housing non-profit, and can be reached at 360.378.5541.

San Juan Island Community Land Trust
workshop set Nov. 7, 2001

posted 11/05/01
Community land trusts on Orcas and Lopez islands have created affordable housing opportunities for residents. A group of residents is determined to do the same on San Juan Island. The public is invited to attend a workshop at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7 in the Mullis Center.

Lee Sturdivant, president of the SJICLT, said the trust has an option on 2.5 acres on Carter Avenue.

The trust is a fifth of the way to reaching its goal of $25,000 for seed money. Pledges and donations for $5,000 have been received. In a letter to potential donors, the board says "A $1,000 from 25 people or $25 from a 1,000 people would do it." The group has filed for federal non-profit status.

A presentation by Sandy Bishop and others from the Lopez Community Land Trust will take place at the Nov. 7 meeting. How the LCLT functions and what has been accomplished on Lopez will be discussed. This is the second workshop about the SJICLT. Lisa Byers of OPAL shared information about the Orcas Island program last month.

Affordable housing program
set for San Juan Island

Need affordable home ownership on San Juan Island. For you? For someone you know?

An evening introductory program about the newly formed San Juan Island Community Land Trust will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, October 4 in the Mullis Center.

"We especially want potential home owners to come to this program,"said Jim Lawrence, CLT board member, "as we need such people to help us begin to plan what specific type of housing is needed, and we need to know how many people will actually be interested in such a program."

Lisa Byers, director of OPAL, the CLT program on Orcas Island, will make a presentation showing how the program works there; Arnie Klaus, director of the new San Juan Island program, will talk about progress for the program on San Juan.

There is no charge for the program. For further information call 360.378.5541.

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