SHARED EQUITY HOMEOWNERSHIP IN THE AFFORDABLE CONTINUUM

STABILITY – EQUITY – ECONOMIC GROWTH

Northwest Community Land Trust Coalition CONTENTS

Northwest residents impacted by rising housing costs...... 2 Building a region everyone can afford ...... 3 Shared equity homeownership: the community land trust model...... 4 A bridge to traditional homeownership...... 5 Affordable homeownership plays a key role in the housing continuum...... 6 Stability and economic growth for families and communities. . . . 7 Homeowner stories...... 9 NORTHWEST RESIDENTS IMPACTED BY RISING HOUSING COSTS

Advocates Urge Oregon to Act to Ease Housing Crisis Public News Service April 11, 2017 Long wait lists for in IF Can Olympia Solve Seattle’s Housing Crisis? Post Register Caroline Halter, Washington March 23, 2017 State Wire, February 19, 2016

Housing Crisis Mayors Cry Out for Affordable “Ugly And Getting Uglier” Housing in County Matt Rosenberg, Lens, Gary Bégin, Lake Chelan Mirror June 6, 2016 September 7, 2016

The Hidden Reason Report Looks at Lack of Affordable Housing Behind Seattle’s Patty Hastings, The Columbian, June 2, 2016 Skyrocketing Housing Costs Kathleen Richards, Affordable Housing Leaders ‘Fired Up’ The Stranger, Over Economic Crisis July 29, 2015 Flathead Beacon May 28, 2016 page 1 page 2 BUILDING A REGION SHARED EQUITY HOMEOWNERSHIP: EVERYONE CAN AFFORD THE COMMUNITY LAND TRUST MODEL

Homeownership Benefits People, Homeownership organizations often Shared equity through a community land In shared equity homeownership, Jobs and Economic Growth have significant waiting lists and a 1:10 trust is a model of affordable homeownership homeowners are an essential part of A safe place to live is an essential start . ratio of homes to qualified applicants . that allows income-eligible families to perpetuating affordability . They build Yet, housing can be more than a home . purchase homes at below-market rates . It’s a assets through principal reduction and Smart public investments in homeownership Those unable to stabize their housing proven stepping stone on the way to market- sharing in the accrued equity of the home . for low- to moderate-income people costs with affordable mortgage payments rate home ownership for low- to moderate- No homeowner is required to sell their can be part of the long-term solution to are often cost-burdened or forced to income people . (Source: Capital Impact) home, even if their income increases . But breaking the cycle of rental dependence . relocate . Those who continue if they decide to sell the price is based on Access to affordable homeownership move frequently as rents increase, losing We put homeownership within reach by a formula . This “pay it forward” method can expand the middle-class . neighborhood ties and often moving reducing the cost to the buyer two ways . means that the home stays affordable children from school to school . First, the cost of the land is removed from to the next income qualified buyer . Demand Outstrips Supply the home purchase, reducing the price by The inventory of “naturally affordable” 30% to 50% . Buyers purchase only the As a result, affordability is perpetuated homes in both rural and urban areas home itself with a traditional mortgage . at each address, stemming the tide of is outstripped by the demand . displacement of modest-income members Second, as non-profit developers of homes, of our community who have the opportunity community land trusts build or rehab homes to build wealth, and to thrive in place . specifically for low- to moderate-income people and take only as much fee as is needed to cover their operating costs . Shared equity homeownership through community land trusts is helping to build a region everyone can afford. The Northwest is home to 19 community land trusts in 15 counties, stewarding over 700 homes for modest income families.

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The one-time community investment in a shared equity home doesn’t serve just one family. That investment lives at the same address in perpetuity, becoming Northwestern states 2005 2016 more valuable over time. Assuming families move on average every 7 years, one Falling Behind community land trust home will give up to 7 families over a period of 50 years the 71.6% 72 chance at the American Dream of homeownership. Rates of homeownership 67.3% in Washington, Oregon, 68.9% 66 Montana and Alaska were 64.4% 64.4% 6% lower than the national 60 average in 2005 . After Families invest in the home. % RESIDENTS WHO OWN HOMES recovery from the recession, WASHINGTON VS. THE NATIONAL AVERAGE homeownership rates still lag the national average by 6 .5% . (Source Census.gov 2017) The community invests in the land.

page 3 page 4 A BRIDGE TO TRADITIONAL AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP PLAYS HOMEOWNERSHIP A KEY ROLE IN THE HOUSING CONTINUUM

Community land trust Northwest taxpayers support homeownership puts the “housing continuum”— a homeownership within reach of progression of resources that modest-income families . Public include emergency housing, and private investments help transitional and permanent reduce the cost of a home by , subsidized 30% to 50% . Homeowners own rental and homeownership for the home as long as they wish, modest-income people . Each but when they sell they agree form of housing plays a critical to do so at an affordable price role in serving those most in need . to the next modest-income Increasing access to affordable family . Each homeowner homeownership is a strategy builds equity and each home that helps the whole continuum . remains affordable to the next It creates an opportunity for buyer—a community asset that people to move up and out of prevents further displacement . subsidized rental . Community land trust homeownership is a vital step between renting and market-rate homeownership .

A holistic, systems view of housing recognizes that increasing access to affordable homeownership is a strategy that helps the whole continuum.

FOR FOR FOR RENT SALE SALE The Housing Alliance values affordable • Expanding affordable homeownership homeownership and believes the state opportunities can help reduce the “ wealth gap between people of has an important role in expanding and preserving homeownership for color and white people, created by Renting The Bridge Community Land Trust Traditional , predatory lending, and Individuals and Public and private Homeownership Homeownership low-income households because: other forms of racial discrimination; families who are investments in Families who own their Over time the family’s • Owning a home helps low-income • Homeownership plays an especially priced out of traditional community land own home put down roots, growing equity can allow families build assets that can important role in rural communities, homes can qualify to trust homes put build equity safely and them to enter the traditional provide stability for the future; where housing costs are lower, and own a community land homeownership within receive all the other social, home-buying market or • Permanently affordable; less land is zoned for multi-family trust home. reach of modest income health and financial benefits fund another dream such homeownership can help prevent development, making support for families by closing the of ownership. as education. displacement resulting from homeownership an important part provides: stability, gap between what gentrification as communities grow; of addressing rural housing needs . safety homes cost and what provides: permanence, provides: permanence, people can afford. safety, equity safety, equity, possibilities — The Washington Low Income Housing Alliance’s ” Statement in Support of Homeownership page 5 page 6 STABILITY AND ECONOMIC GROWTH FOR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES

Homeownership opportunities Community land trust • Community land trust homeownership created for low- to moderate- homeownership creates prevents income displacement income families provides a variety of in rapidly gentrifying areas benefits – from economic to social. stability in transient • Community land trust homeownership • Stabilization – Homeowners are no neighborhoods and creates stability in otherwise transient longer subject to rental displacement . communities resulting in deeper neighborhoods and communities resulting in deeper investment • Predictable Housing Costs – Through investment and lower crime. (financial and social) and lower crime 30-year fixed-rate mortgage payments homeowners have a predictable • Community land trust homeownership housing payment that allows them Shared Equity Homeownership is an provides work-force housing to save and plan for the future . Investment in Our Communities that brings employees closer to places of employment which in • Build Household Equity Safely – Our Homeownership opportunities turn enhances productivity homeowners are 10 times less likely created through community land to experience foreclosure due to trusts are an investment that benefits • Preserves the affordability ongoing homeowner support . homeowners and communities . of the home at resale to Community land trust • Social Benefits – The list of social income-qualified buyers • Puts homeownership within benefits associated specifically • Community land trust homeownership homeownership is a stepping reach of low to moderate income with homeownership (versus creates a balance between the households who purchase their first stone to market-rate stable rental housing) include: public’s investment and the home at a price they can afford homeownership and, as a buyer’s equity, meaning that public • Greater attachment to the result, a path out of poverty. neighborhood and neighbors • Helps maintain homeownership investments are leveraged to success with low delinquency serve more people over time than • Lower teen pregnancy and foreclosure rates (>1%) other forms of homeownership • Higher student test scores • Enables homebuyers to build • Community land trust homeownership • Higher rate of high school graduation equity in their homes through is a stepping stone to market- appreciation of the home and principal rate homeownership and as a • Children more likely to participate reduction of their mortgage result a path out of poverty in organized activities and have less screen time • Gives homeowners a competitive (fair) return when they resell • Homeowners reported higher life satisfaction, higher self-esteem, happiness, and higher perceived (Social Benefits Sources: The Social Benefits control over their lives and Costs of Homeownership: A Critical Assessment of the Research . Harvard University • Better health outcomes, better 2001; Coulson, N . Edward . “Housing Policy physical and psychological health and the Social Benefits of Homeownership ”.

Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Business Review (Second Quarter 2002), pp . 7-16)

page 7 page 8 HOMEOWNER STORIES

SKAGIT COUNTY NEIGHBORS: VANESSA AND BENJAMIN (BENNY) SCEE Vanessa Scee on the porch of her Mount Vernon home.

She learned about the community Skagit Highlands, a neighborhood land trust program by stumbling on the east side of town . Her onto an online advertisement . At neighbors made them feel first, Scee said she wondered welcome, and Benny can now Trick if the program was a hoax . or Treat safely in a neighborhood with hundreds of other kids . “I was thinking, this has to be too good to be true,” she said . “Maybe I don’t own the land, but it feels like it’s mine,” she says . But it was true . Through Home Trust, Vanessa received down She’s reassured by the fact that payment assistance and support should something happen to to buy her home . In February her, she can leave the home to 2015, she and her son moved into her son and her ground lease HOME CREATES LEGACY their two-story, 1,700 square-foot will be transferred to him . FOR MOTHER AND SON community land trust home in the The opportunity to own her home sounded “too good to be true”

I was thinking, this IN 2014, VANESSA SCEE WAS through a non-profit organization, has to be too good SHOPPING FOR A HOME in but that program required to be true. Mount Vernon . The homes she hundreds of hours of sweat equity Home Trust of Skagit, a community land trust and – Vanessa Scee could afford needed work and (volunteer hours to build the 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, is incorporated to the neighbors were not friendly . home) . With a young child and help homebuyers in Skagit County secure affordable They were in neighborhoods a busy schedule, Scee could not homes and achieve an equity return on their that felt unsafe . She wanted devote the time that the program investment, while preserving affordability for the next something better for her son . One required . Home Trust of Skagit’s homebuyer. Home Trust of Skagit began as a program of her friends had found a home model was what she needed . of Community Action of Skagit County in 2009.

Homes in Portfolio: 10 owner occupied; 19 rentals Families Served Through Sales and Resales: 20 Northwest Community Acres of Land Stewarded: 8 Land Trust Coalition Founded: 2010

page 9 page 10 SAN JUAN COUNTY NEIGHBORS: NATALYA AND CATALINA KOHRING Lopez Island Salish Way crew on a job site.

Lopez Children’s Center for years sweat-equity commitment . “Wow, to come . The Lopez Community am I really doing this?” Catalina Land Trust is helping residents like said of her experience of building Catalina, her father and brothers her home . “People build remain in the communities they but I never thought it would be me . love, and to live sustainably . It’s great to be a part of the entire process . It makes me feel more Catalina purchased her home in rooted in the Lopez community ”. the Salish Way Cooperative in 2015 . These Net Zero energy homes Moving into Salish Way means utilize photovoltaic solar systems that her daughter Natalya can and energy-efficient hot water be nearby to her grandpa and heat pumps . Building her home three uncles who live across the became a multi-generational effort way at , another THE BENEFITS when Catalina’s dad helped build CLT development built in 2009 . OF OWNERSHIP; her so she could meet her COOPERATIVE HOUSING Building her home was a multigenerational experience Lopez Community Land Trust (LCLT) was founded in 1989. Inspired by I feel more CATALINA KOHRING MOVED TO some of the highest housing the national community land trust movement and motivated by a 190% rooted in LOPEZ ISLAND when she was costs and the lowest wages . rise in the cost of housing in our first year LCLT designed a program for the Lopez eight years old . As is the case affordable housing and sustainable living. LCLT serves the community community. with many of the San Juan Islands, Catalina works at the Lopez of Lopez Island, Washington (pop. 2,400), and is a membership-based – Catalina rapid population growth on Lopez Children’s Center and has recently non-profit organization with approximately 300 members. Our focus Kohring has resulted in a sharp increase finished her AA degree through is on the low-income population but many segments of the population in real estate prices . San Juan Skagit Valley College . Early indirectly benefit from our sweat-equity, affordable housing, sustainable County has the largest affordability Childhood Education is her passion, agriculture and renewable energy programs. LCLT has won national and gap in Washington State, with and she expects to work for the regional awards that inspire other communities.

Homes in Portfolio: 40 cooperative ownership homes; 2 rentals Families Served Through Sales and Resales: 65 Northwest Community Acres of Land Stewarded: 66 Land Trust Coalition Founded: 1989 page 11 page 12 CHELAN COUNTY NEIGHBORS: DAVID, CHRISTINE, EMILIA, & SASHA MORGAN The Morgan family has been with SHARE Community Land Trust since their home was constructed in 2006.

chance to own their own home, the Christine both value the sense of Morgans might not have stayed community and the neighborhood in Leavenworth . “Looking back relationships one builds there . on it, if we hadn’t moved here, I “[You have] some sense of don’t know what would have common space, and more personal happened,” says David . Without relationships with our neighbors ”. SHARE, “Maybe we’d still be In SHARE housing, though it’s not renting, but that’s kind of hard a prerequisite, it does help to be to keep doing when you think a friendly, outgoing person, who about the long-term financial wants to pitch in to make the implications ”. But an affordable community even better . David price was not the only benefit of and Christine see it as one of the SHARE homeownership . David and greatest benefits of their home . FROM THE BIG APPLE TO HOME IN APPLE COUNTRY Rural communities have their own affordability challenges MEND is an acronym for Meeting Each Need with Dignity. Upper Valley MEND was started as a food bank in 1983, and has since grown to meet the needs of the community. We now have five distinct programs for those who live or travel through our service area, which covers the area of the Cascade If we hadn’t DAVID MORGAN GREW UP IN York,” says David . They found few School District. The service area covers from Stevens Pass down to the moved here, I LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK, and options when they went looking towns of Peshastin and Dryden, and from Blewett Pass to the community of don’t know what his wife Christine in Løvskal, for a place to buy, until they found would have Plain. SHARE Community Land Trust (CLT) is an affordable homeownership Denmark . Moving to the small SHARE, the community land trust happened. program that was established in 1998. It arose out of concern for the rising town of Leavenworth in 2003, program of Upper Valley MEND . costs of homes and land in Leavenworth, WA. Currently SHARE stewards – Christine Morgan who would have thought they’d Today they own a beautiful, two- 20 homes in two neighborhoods: Alpine Heights and Aldea Village. encounter a housing shortage story home in Aldea Village . They that compared to the Big Apple . can bike to town and their two “In a way, coming here is not that daughters can play with other kids Homes in Portfolio: 20 owner occupied different than being back in New in the neighborhood . Without the Families Served Through Sales and Resales: 31 Acres of Land Stewarded: 3 Northwest Community Founded: 1998 Land Trust Coalition

page 13 page 14 SAN JUAN COUNTY NEIGHBORS: JON CHAPPELLE, SARA LUCIA Mabel and her Bonnie Brae neighbors.

having the stability and peace with . “In the summertime, there of mind of our own home ”. Their are lots of kids playing outside,” monthly payments are about the said Sara . Sara and Jon like being same as rent, but now they’re involved in the neighborhood . putting that money toward equity . Sara is now treasurer of the “We were able to buy without a homeowners association . “I huge down payment,” explained know from my position at (work) Jon . “Working with OPAL helped that you can’t attract and keep us become homeowners sooner key people without affordable than we would have otherwise ”. housing,” Jon says . They are grateful to own a home where They like having close neighbors they feel such a deep connection . and children for Mabel to play FINDING A HOME FOR

A DEEP CONNECTION The mission of OPAL Community Land Trust is to help sustain Ownership opportunities keep committed Orcas Island as a healthy, economically diverse community by providing permanently affordable homes and related education workers in communities and support for islanders—families, seniors and singles—whose housing needs are not met by the traditional market.

We have stability JON CHAPPELLE AND SARA Bonnie Brae neighborhood in To accomplish its mission OPAL: and peace of mind LUCIA HAVE DEEP TIES TO THE 2015 . Jon is executive chef and • acquires land and buildings; in our own home. SAN JUAN ISLANDS. Jon, who manager at Doe Bay Café . Sara is – Sara Lucia grew up in Seattle, spent summers an at-home mom to their daughter, • develops land in an environmentally and social responsible manner; sailing with his family in the San Mabel . Prior to moving into Bonnie Juans . Sara, originally from Boston, Brae, Sara and Jon lived in four • constructs or renovates buildings to be healthy, came to Orcas Island for the rental houses in five years . “We durable and energy efficient; first time 11 years ago as garden had to move every 9 to 18 months • educates and counsels homebuyers and rental tenants; and manager for Camp Four Winds . for one reason or another,” said stewards what it creates for current and future generations. They bought their home in OPAL’s Jon . “The biggest thing for us is

Homes in Portfolio: 103 owner occupied homes, 29 rental Northwest Community Families Served Through Sales and Resales: 140 Land Trust Coalition Acres of Land Stewarded: 54 Founded: 1989 page 15 page 16 BLAINE COUNTY NEIGHBORS: TARA BELL, DILLON, AND BELLA BROWER Bella Brower

says . “However, (we) have all In being considered for the home, contributed and played vital roles they wrote to the ARCH Board in the working class community of Directors: “Our hope is that that keeps this Valley going . We ARCH can help us come back to intend to do the same thing ”. where we grew up, so that we can raise the fifth generation After returning to the Valley after of our family in this beautiful, graduate school, they struggled amazing and wonderful place ”. to find affordable housing . They lived in their camp trailer and Today they are raising Bella, had to move every few days . with the help of Tucker, in a They found hope through ARCH beautiful two bedroom, two- Community Housing Trust, which bathroom home on an acre had developed a home on a of land on Buttercup Road . piece of land granted to the KEEPING THE county by a for-profit developer . COMMUNITY VITAL

Young family returns to continue five generations of service

ARCH Community Housing Trust began in 2004 as an advocacy Our families TARA BELL BROWER AND housing costs, pushing year-round organization working to educate our community about the played vital roles DILLON BROWER ARE FOURTH residents out of the market . need for and benefits of community housing. Since 2009 we in the working GENERATION IDAHOANS who live class community have actively developed affordable housing by renovating with their young daughter, Bella, With a PhD in physical therapy, that keeps this existing homes, constructing new homes and, in some cases, and their therapy dog, Tucker and significant student loan debt, valley going. relocating donated structures. We develop both ownership and in Sun Valley . As is the case in Dillon works 10- and 12-hour days – Dillon Brower to support their family . In four rental units. We are located in Blaine County, Idaho, home to many resort communities, affluent ARCH Text = hand drawn Closest Match to hand drawn= EngraversGothic font the Sun Valley resort area. owners of vacation homes in generations, no one in their family Community Housing Text=Trajan Pro Tracking = 378 the area have been driving up has owned their own home, Tara Text Height = 6.5% of the bottom of the ARCH to the top of the roof

Homes in Portfolio: 50 owner occupied homes Families Served Through Sales and Resales: 54 Northwest Community Land Trust Coalition Acres of Land Stewarded: 1 Founded: 2004

page 17 page 18

3/16/16 — Logo concepts prepared for ARCH © CENTERLYNE DESIGN, LLC Prepared by CENTERLYNE www.centerlyne.com 208-721-1220 KING COUNTY NEIGHBORS: JULIE AND CHLOE ZINDLE Julie in the kitchen of her Columbia City home CREDIT: LUKE WATERS LUKE CREDIT:

She started searching online and equity,” Julie couldn’t believe she came across Homestead CLT . would soon own it . In November Through the program, she learned of 2014, Julie and Chloe got about the Columbia 26 townhomes the keys to their new home . in a walkable neighborhood near her work in Beacon Hill . Today, she pays just $14 more per month to own than she paid Julie tried hard to temper her for the old rental house . More and Chloe’s excitement as they importantly, her daughter will saw their future two-bedroom grow up knowing her neighbors, home . Even as she and Chloe and they don’t have to worry

CREDIT: TODD BURLEY TODD CREDIT: were painting their soon-to-be about moving anytime soon . new home to get credit for “sweat STABILITY AND SAFETY IN COMMUNITY Ownership for $14 more per month than a rent payment Homestead Community Land Trust was founded in 1992 to arrest the displacement of low- to moderate-income people from rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods in King County. Homestead combines housing development with counseling, education, and other support activities to create a We are safe, we “KNOCK ON ANYONE’S DOOR IF But not so long ago, Julie was growing inventory of permanently affordable homes and a community of are sound ... I feel YOU NEED SOMETHING. I’LL ONLY a single parent, struggling to successful homeowners. Every home we develop and sell at an affordable like we have this BE GONE FOR A FEW MINUTES,” find affordable housing . The possibility that price to an income-qualified buyer is kept affordable to all future buyers Julie Zindle told her then 11-year- challenges of renting weighed was unimaginable through the community land trust. Our growing portfolio of homes serves a few years ago. old daughter Chloe as she left to heavily on her . She was afraid multiple families over time, giving affordability a permanent address walk their dog, Muppet . Julie felt that if she complained about – Julie Zindle in our communities. We provide the King County residents who keep an overwhelming sense of relief finicky plumbing or rats, her our community vital the opportunity to gain stability for their families, to provide her daughter with a landlord would increase the rent safely accrue equity, and put down roots in their communities. stable home in a great community . on her month-to-month lease .

Homes in Portfolio: 212 owner occupied homes Families Served Through Sales and Resales: 240 Northwest Community Land Trust Coalition Acres of Land Stewarded: 13 Founded: 1992

page 19 page 20 CLARK COUNTY NEIGHBORS: AARON AND SHANNON Aaron and family in their backyard.

Aaron and Shannon were Proud stability for our family both in the Ground’s first family to buy a home present and for the future . They in Clark County, and as such, there make homeownership attainable . were new hurdles that needed to They do not just supply grant be maneuvered . Despite those money; they take you through the hurdles, Aaron and Shannon whole process of homeownership were excited and pleased with from start to finish!” the experience . After closing on their home, they said they felt like Today, Aaron and Shannon love they had an advocate throughout to work on their home and have the whole process and went on already completed painting, to explain, “Proud Ground has landscaping, and fixer-up been a life-changing organization projects around their house . DREAM OF for us . They have helped provide HOMEOWNERSHIP MADE POSSIBLE Owning costs less than renting Utilizing the community land trust model of permanent affordabiity, Proud Ground AARON AND SHANNON WANTED every one to two years because Proud Ground expands homeownership opportunities for low- and has been a A PLACE THAT THEY COULD their rent would increase . moderate-income familes living in the greater Portland, OR and life-changing CALL THEIR OWN and explained Vancouver WA areas so they can live or remain in the community organization for us. that they wanted, “A place that we Not surprisingly, they wanted of their choice. Proud Ground serves as a leading strategic partner – Aaron could tailor to the needs of our a home of their own even to improve affordability region-wide, with a focus on areas affected family . A place our kids could grow though Aaron and Shannon by displacement. Proud Ground was founded in 1999 by community up in with a sense of stability ”. didn’t think that homeownership members and government officials who saw the value of a Community was possible . However, sooner Land Trust (CLT) to help residents who have been priced out of the Aaron and Shannon had been than they expected, they were housing market achieve the stability and wealth-building opportunity of renters for 12 years of their able to achieve this dream, homeownership. marriage and would move and their mortgage payment is now lower than what they Homes in Portfolio: 265 owner occupied homes Northwest Community were paying for rent . Families Served Through Sales and Resales: 335 Land Trust Coalition Founded: 1999

page 21 page 22 WHATCOM NEIGHBORS: JEN, MARCUS, JACK AND SAMANTHA WAROLIN Jack and Samantha have a yard, garden, nearby trails and schools. Their community will help them put down deep roots.

they took a look and fell in love . Jen and Marcus spend a lot of Nine offers were tendered the time outdoors with their two first day, and Jen wrote to the kids, biking and running on owner with photos of her family nearby trails and enjoying their and a compelling message . They neighborhood school . Jen is able were crestfallen when another to be a stay-at-home mom and family was chosen . But when provide their children with books, that deal fell through, they found outdoor adventures, gardening, themselves in first position building houses for fairies and with solid financing already in watching fawns born every year place—thanks to KulshanCLT! in the treed corner of their back yard . A recent job offer would The house has an open entry have necessitated a move, but and living room with beautiful Marcus chose to pursue other GROWING HAPPY, hardwood floors . Jen says, “We opportunities closer to Bellingham, aren’t fixer upper types, but the so they could stay in their home . house was taken care of already . It GROWING STRONG was the perfect Christmas present ”. They have plans for expansion and Homeownership helped one family invest in a fenced-in front yard garden . a brighter future for their kids and their community

The perfect home... “LET’S MOVE SOMEWHERE away, rented for four years and a big yard and a WARM,” Jen Warolin said to her started a family . “Soon we were short walk to work family . This intention took them at a crossroads,” says Jen . The and school. from Iowa to South Carolina and timing was perfect when friends – Jen Warolin then to South Korea . With cheap told them about KulshanCLT . Since their incorporation in 1999, KulshanCLT has been providing access to tickets out of Korea to Vancouver homes that working people can afford to buy in Bellingham and Whatcom BC, Jen and husband marcus They almost didn’t look at the County. This has been an ongoing challenge with home prices increasing discovered the Pacific Northwest Roosevelt neighborhood house . over 60% and median wages only increasing by 3%. The gap between wages and Bellingham where they soon But, it had nearly a half acre, three and home prices continues to widen, keeping homeownership out of reach settled . They found jobs right bedrooms and two baths, so for many low- to moderate-income community members.

Homes in Portfolio: 123 owner occupied Northwest Community Families Served Through Sales and Resales: 181 Land Trust Coalition Acres of Land Stewarded: 13 .5 Founded: 2001 page 23 page 24 SAN JUAN COUNTY NEIGHBORS: DINA MELIC, FAIM MELIC Dina Melic at work as a property manager.

Trust which was “breaking ground” Bosnian war which ignited during a short drive from their high- Dina’s final year of high school . rent, mold-infested . Now her life is peace-filled and Able to purchase a house within focused on friends and family, as their budget, with the land trust’s well as investment in the larger help, Dina still can’t believe community . Thanks in part to that “we’re here… with so many affordable monthly mortgage opportunities ”. Her words hint at payments, the couple launched a the wonderful and tragic aspects masonry business in 2007 which of her own life’s journey: cherished now operates through much of memories of village life supported Island County . An enthusiastic by her father’s stable job and her “soccer mom,” Dina also serves as a ISLAND HOME REPLACES mother’s tending of the family’s member of the Home Trust’s board cow, chickens, and garden; and and as the organization’s treasurer . WAR’S CHAOS FOR the “chaos and disaster” of the BOSNIAN FAMILY Affordable homeownership made it possible for couple to start masonry business

I still can’t believe SIXTEEN YEARS AGO, Dina Melic hoped one day to own their own we are here… and her husband, Faim, arrived home . However, a history of stable The Home Trust is a community land trust that separates with so many in the US from Bosnia with two employment and paying bills on opportunities. the cost of land from the cost of a home. The land is held in suitcases full of clothes and the time wasn’t enough to ensure a perpetuity by the nonprofit organization, while the homes – Dina Melic dream of a better life . Renting on successful mortgage application— are sold to qualified buyers. Islanders are able to achieve the San Juan Island (near a cousin) they had no credit history in the US . SAN JUAN long-term security of home ownership, to build equity, and to yet unable to speak English, Dina COMMUNITY pass the ownership of the home on to their heirs through our recalls that they both loved A friend suggested that they call HOME TRUST program. America from “Day One ”. They also the San Juan Community Home Homes in Portfolio: 34 owner occupied homes Families Served Through Sales and Resales: 53 Northwest Community Acres of Land Stewarded: 8 .25 Land Trust Coalition Founded: 2001

page 25 page 26 FLATHEAD COUNTY NEIGHBORS: SHARRY DEVALL AND SONS Sharry DeVall is the first Homeowner in the Northwest Montana Community Land Trust .

award to the City of Kalispell and and her sons moved into a home the formation of the Northwest that was not only affordable but Montana Community Land that belonged to her and her sons . Trust (NWMTCLT) . Sharry called Sharry’s mortgage, taxes and Community Action Partnership the home owners insurance were equal very next day and came one step to the amount she had previously closer to her goal . The CLT was paid in rent and her monthly the perfect match for her situation . budget was still intact . Sharry’s She was able to move out of her oldest son was halfway through rental and into a newer, completely his senior year on move-in day! rehabilitated home (under 10 years NWMTCLT had made it possible old) . When the mortgage loan for Sharry to achieve her goal . LOCAL COMMUNITY LAND process was complete, Sharry TRUST HELPS MONTANA MOM FULFILL HER DREAM First to benefit from Kalispell program

I felt like I truly A single mother of two boys, and in 2010 began looking at was providing for Sharry DeVall had a goal to housing options for her family . my children and own a home of her own by the did something that time her oldest son entered The homes that were affordable my boys could be to her needed more work than her proud of. high school . After struggling The Northwest Montana Community Land Trust Inc. is a financially for many years, making budget and time commitments nonprofit, community-based organization that provides – Sharry DeVall too much money to access social would allow . Then the Daily permanently affordable ownership opportunities for low- services, and not enough to Interlake newspaper ran an and moderate-income families in the City of Kalispell. cover all of her living expenses, article about the Neighborhood she recovered from bankruptcy Stabilization Program grant Homes in Portfolio: 52 owner occupied homes Acres of Land Stewarded: 7 .5 Founded: 2012 Northwest Community Land Trust Coalition

page 27 page 28 MEMBERS OF THE NORTHWEST COMMUNITY LAND TRUST COALITION

ARCH Community Housing Trust, Blaine County Home Trust of Skagit, Skagit County Homestead Community Land Trust, King County Housing Resources Bainbridge, Kitsap County Kittitas Yakima Valley Community Land Trust, Yakima County Kôr CLT, Deschutes County Kulshan Community Land Trust, Whatcom County Lincoln County CLT, Lincoln County Lopez Community Land Trust, San Juan County Northwest Montana CLT, Flathead County OPAL Community Land Trust, San Juan County Proud Ground, Clark County San Juan Community Home Trust, San Juan County Saratoga Community Housing, Island County SHARE Community Land Trust, Chelan County Sitka CLT, Borough of Sitka Spokane Community Land Trust, Spokane County Vashon Household, King County Waldron Community Land Trust, San Juan County

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