by Ryan Page
SJC Housing Program Coordinator
On Jan. 25 the County Council agreed to award additional funding from the Home Fund to the Northern Heights apartments project bringing the county’s total financial commitment up to $1,112,300; the maximum allowed by the County’s policies. The county prioritizes preserving affordable rental housing at every opportunity across the islands.
The Northern Heights apartments, providing 12 one-bedroom year-round rentals, is a rare property in Eastsound that the County and OPAL Community Land Trust hope to preserve. The need for affordable rental housing on Orcas is acute. OPAL entered into an agreement to purchase the property contingent upon getting grants and donations for the cost. OPAL’s goal is to keep the apartments as affordable year-round, long-term rentals.
The funding for OPAL to purchase and renovate this property was proposed to come from three sources: The local San Juan County Home Fund, the Washington State Housing Trust Fund, and private donations. Last fall the County’s Home Fund ranked this as its highest priority for affordable housing and awarded a grant. Unfortunately, because of intense competition from around the state, the Housing Trust Fund did not fund the project.
But that is not the end of this story. Many individuals have already generously donated or pledged funding to help purchase the apartments, however, additional funding is still needed. OPAL has until April 30, 2022 to complete its fundraising efforts, or else these long-term rentals could potentially be lost forever.
Please consider donating to OPAL to help fully fund this project. More information can be found at: https://www.opalclt.org/in-the-works/northern-heights/
The Northern Heights Apartments is the tenth project funded in part by the San Juan County Home Fund. To date the program has awarded $6,471,189.50 to constructing, acquiring, persevering, planning, and rehabilitating affordable housing on Lopez, Orcas and San Juan island.
For more information regarding the San Juan County Home Fund visit: https://www.sanjuanco.com/1595/San-Juan-County-Home-Fund
