Four housing groups will share $60,000 following the latest round of awards from San Juan County’s low-income housing fund.
In a unanimous decision, the County Council on Tuesday backed the recommendation of the Housing Bank Commission in awarding a slice of the 2060 Fund, which is earmarked for housing projects and programs that benefit those of “very low income,” to each of the four groups.
Members of the Housing Commission had previously reviewed applications from each group, which together sought $159,000 in funding, in determining its recommendation. County Affordable Housing Coordinator Angela Lausch said only $60,000 was available to be distributed this year, and that the commission decided it should be divvied up and that each group should receive a share.
“The requests far exceeded the amount that was available,” Lausch said.
In a related move, the council also backed a recommendation by the Housing Commission in granting $26,000 in funding requests from the county’s senior rental subsidy program. The subsidy program, known as the 2163 Fund, provides rental assistance to seniors who’s annual income is 30 percent or less than the area median income. The $26,000 in rental assistance is earmarked for 12 seniors that meet the income requirements, Lausch said.
Recipients of the 2060 Fund:
• Of People and Land (OPAL): $19,800, to help fund construction of the Wild Rose Meadow housing project.
• Homes for Islanders: $18,700, to help replenish HFI’s revolving home loan program.
• San Juan Community Home Trust: $18,700, to help qualified applicants to purchase a home in the Sun Rise neighborhood.
• Lopez Community Land Trust: $2,800, to help build a replacement reserve for the Common Field apartments.
Enacted by the state Legislature in 2002, the 2060 fund is generated by a $10 surcharge on various documents that are recorded by the county auditor. It is set aside for non-profit groups that manage housing projects and certain programs which benefit those with an annual income which qualifies as “very low”.
Since 2005, the county has distributed $289,000 in 2060 awards.
In 2005, officials of the Town of Friday Harbor and the county reached an agreement that directs 90 percent of the 2060 fund to be used for development of low-income housing, so-called “bricks and mortar” projects, and under which beneficiaries of the funds must earn no more than 50 percent of the area median income. The town each year receives 5 percent of the money generated by the fund.
