OPAL is raising funds through a crowd funding campaign in order to move Edith’s House from the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle to Orcas Island where it will become a permanently affordable home.

Why is Edith’s House available to be moved?

• A retail and office center was constructed around Edith’s house after she refused to sell her property.
• Edith died in June 2008 and the house has remained vacant.
• Thousands of people have connected with the story of Edith’s house. Some have drawn parallels to the Disney/Pixar Movie UP!.
• Numerous attempts to renovate or re-use the house in its current location have failed. The house cannot reasonably be brought up to commercial building code.
• The current owners invited proposals to move the house.
• This was the last chance to save the house from being demolished.

Why does OPAL want to move Edith’s House?

• To provide another permanently affordable home for the Orcas Island community;
• To bring attention to the need for affordable housing in Seattle and the San Juan Islands;
• To bring attention to the community land trust approach to providing permanently affordable housing;
• To recycle a building with a much-loved past; and
• To highlight the value of recycling buildings.

What is OPAL Community Land Trust’s track record?

• OPAL, now in its 26th year, provides affordable housing for nearly 5% of Orcas Island’s year-round population (nearly 300 people in 132 residences).
• Since 2011, OPAL has moved and renovated 10 houses – five from the Seattle area.

What will it take to move Edith’s House?

• The house is being donated, but the cost to move and renovate the house, and run the fundraising campaign is $205,000.

Donors of $5,000 or greater will have their names listed on the website for Edith’s House and have their names carved into a stone placed in front of Edith’s House. Donors of $1,000 or more will be listed on the website.