||| FROM HILARY CANTY for COMMUNITY FOUNDATION |||
The Orcas Island Community Foundation Board has voted to grant OPAL Community Land Trust $100,000, as needed, to support the purchase of the Northern Heights Apartments located across from the Library on Rose Street in Eastsound. This purchase will ensure that the 12 one bedroom apartments in the building remain affordable rentals going forward.
The grant funding comes from the legacy gift that Bob Henigson left the Community Foundation. The OICF Board is deeply grateful to have the opportunity to carry on Bob’s values and dreams for a healthy community by supporting issues that he was dedicated to in his lifetime.
The Northern Heights project will be funded by a mix of public funds, grants, and individual donations to complete the purchase of the building. If you are interested in contributing or learning more about this project, please go here or email Lisa Byers at OPAL.
On another note, OICF is hiring. We are adding a financial clerk to our team. This 10 hour per week position will provide additional support in managing donations and grants that flow through the Foundation as well as some administrative tasks. If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about the position, take a look at the job description, give me a call or email me. I would be happy to discuss further.
**If you are reading theOrcasonian for free, thank your fellow islanders. If you would like to support theOrcasonian CLICK HERE to set your modestly-priced, voluntary subscription. Otherwise, no worries; we’re happy to share with you.**
Thank-you, Orcas Island Community Foundation, OPAL, and all who have contributed to save this essential affordable rental complex in the heart of Eastsound!
Bravo Orcas Community Foundation for its ongoing support of affordable housing.
Still, I would like to understand the logic for pursuing this type of solution to solving the affordable housing crisis on Orcas. My understanding of the costs and risks or renovating older housing stock is that frequently the actual incurred costs can be higher than green field investments, once hidden defects are identified and remedied. Older buildings frequently have hidden defects in foundations, HVAC systems, drywall due to hidden leaks, and other sources of unexpected rehabilitation costs. What is the total expected cost per square foot of acquiring and rehabbing this aged apartment complex? How does that compare to the cost for alternative solutions?
We all applaud the goals of solving the affordable housing crisis on the island, but the lack of estimated all-in cost information during the fundraising drive is concerning. Also concerning is the limited number of affordable units which will be preserved by this investment. The affordable housing crisis is so massive, that I wonder if these small piecemeal solutions will even make a dent. Time for a broader vision?
Paula raises some good points. OPAL had the property inspected by a company with expertise in older apartment buildings. The building, constructed 45 years ago, is in good structural shape, but has some needs. The budget includes $600,000 to address those needs, including a healthy contingency, because—as Paula points out–there are always surprises with renovation. You can find the full budget on the Northern Heights page of OPAL’s website, under “Details on the Work to be Done.”
The cost to purchase and renovate Northern Heights is under $190,000 per apartment. That is about 40% lower than new construction for a comparable building. On top of that there is less impact on the environment by continuing to utilize an existing structure. Another benefit for the community is that folks living in the apartments will be able to have moderate level incomes, which is a higher than most of OPAL’s other rental apartments.
I agree that the need for affordable housing is huge, but the only way I know to get to any destination is one step at a time. This is the next of many steps that our community can take.
Paula, I applaud your thoughts. This is a large undertaking, but if anyone can achieve success, it’s this group.
Our housing issues are huge everywhere in SanJuan County, I so appreciate Opal stepping up and recycling this property. Wess and Alan did a lot to improve the structure while they owned it and now it can have even longer life of good care.
As a builder, it’s wonderful seeing our community shepherding our older structures for longer life spans.
Thanks Opal for not only allowing more units for living spaces, but sharing your passion for longevity of some of Orcas’s quaint buildings.