OPAL Homeowner Goes to D.C., to Lobby for Affordable Housing

— from Judy Whiting, OPAL —

OPAL homeowner goes to Washington, D.C., to lobby for affordable housing

Eros Belliveau of Eastsound recently returned from Washington, D.C., where he met with federal lawmakers to advocate for increased funding for affordable housing on Orcas Island and across the country.

One of six homeowners chosen nationwide to represent community land trusts, Belliveau, who owns a house in OPAL Community Land Trust’s Wild Rose Meadow neighborhood, personally called on the staff of six representatives and senators, including Patty Murray, to share his story.

“It was educational and inspiring,” said Belliveau, “and our message was well received. We explained what homeownership has meant in our lives and why the community land trust model is so effective – that a one-time public investment makes a house affordable to people who are typically shut out of the market, and in return, owners agree to sell their house at an equally affordable price to future eligible buyers.”

Belliveau, who is a waiter at Mia’s Cafe, moved to Orcas in 2007 and qualified to buy his OPAL home six years ago. “I’ve lived in my home longer than I’ve lived anywhere in my whole life,” he explained. “I had always been a renter – even my parents rented while I was growing up. Owning a home was important to me. OPAL offered me a very responsible, affordable path to homeownership in this beautiful place I called home.”

Belliveau’s lobbying efforts were part of the newly launched Resident Ambassador Initiative sponsored by the National Community Land Trust Network, which represents CLTs nationwide. He joined five other CLT homeowners chosen by the group. They came from as far away as Florida, Vermont, Minnesota and California, and as close as neighboring San Juan Island, where Chinmayo Ricketts represented the San Juan Community Home Trust.

Travel expenses and training were provided by the national organization. After three months of training, the ambassador homeowners met with over 60 elected officials during their time in Washington, D.C., to advocate for both funding and regulation changes that support permanently affordable housing.

“It was very, very encouraging for me,” Belliveau said. “The experience makes me want to become more involved locally and nationally.” As part of the program, Belliveau will continue to meet monthly via teleconferencing with the other residents, and will also attend the National CLT Network conference in October in Lexington, Kentucky.

Incorporated in 1989, OPAL serves 132 rental and ownership Orcas Island households and continues to accept applications from people who are not able to purchase a house in the traditional market. For more information, go to: www.opalclt.org or call (360) 376-3191.