Another eight rentals affordable for households of moderate and middle incomes
||| FROM QASIM ALI DINO for OPAL COMMUNITY LAND TRUST |||
Eight more apartments on Orcas Island will become permanently affordable rentals with OPAL Community Land Trust’s purchase of the Crosswind Apartments. Thanks to the generosity of a family with deep island roots, OPAL is now the proud owner of Crosswind Apartments (previously known as Aviator Apartments) on Crosswind Lane in Eastsound.
This property of eight two-bedroom rentals has a long history of providing year-round housing for islanders. Islanders Tom Keel, his life partner Tina Leavitt, and Tom’s son Luke Keel purchased the property in 2017 and approached OPAL last year because they wanted it to continue providing quality, affordable rentals for their island neighbors in perpetuity.
“Orcas Island is our home,” said Tom Keel. “My family and I want to see these apartments continue to provide a place where islanders can make a go of it. We know OPAL will take good care of the property and keep them affordable – forever!”
Tom and his family donated one of the units to help make the property more affordable for OPAL. An anonymous donor provided a cash gift that made the purchase possible, and OPAL supporters raised another $100,000 to cover closing costs and address initial planned maintenance.
Because the property was purchased with private donations (not government grants), these homes will serve islanders earning moderate to middle incomes: from approximately $50,000-$100,000 per year.
Current leases will be honored; future openings will be offered to eligible islanders in OPAL’s application pool. To begin the process, prospective renters can complete a rental application at https://www.opalclt.org/rent-an-apartment/apply-today/.
OPAL Community Land Trust stewards permanently affordable homes for 222 island households, including 102 rentals and 120 in homeownership. Another 20 permanently affordable long-term rentals are scheduled for construction in 2026 on Pea Patch Lane, and planning is underway for additional homeownership opportunities on Lydia Lane.
OPAL works to maintain the character, vibrancy and diversity of the Orcas Island community by addressing the ongoing need for permanently affordable housing. Founded in 1989, OPAL (which stands for “Of People And Land”) was one of the first community land trusts in the West, and remains at the forefront of perpetually affordable housing. OPAL’s work is funded by private donations and public grants. OPAL is a member-based, registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Learn more at www.opalclt.org.
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Tom, thank you for demonstrating how to get things done. The need is very real that affordable housing in needed for the working class individuals that are the backbone of our community.
I just experienced a similar opportunity to sell the Health and Wellness facility on A Street that we Islanders call the Athletic Club Building. We purchased that facility back in 2012. Went through Covid when all our tenants had to shut down.. We discounted rents and slowly rebuilt, keeping the costs as low as possible so everyone could survive. We all did! Three weeks ago we sold to a local who will take the helm into the future. We had the luxury of good will and a desire to make things happen.
I am very excited to watch the enfolding of goodness continuing to bless our community. The beauty of situations like these was (choice). We choose who, which is how I see long-standing growth that demonstrates the good fiber in progress around us. So again, thank you Tom, Tina and family for your excellent example of Job Well Done!
It was my offspring that got this done! Like your Sons involvement, it’s nice to see our families make a difference that seed’s goodness in our community.
Once again, regularly actually, OPAL and the Orcas community push the edges of what can be done to improve the availability of affordable housing. As an affordable housing advocate frustrated with the difficult factions and self-inflicted wounds on San Juan Island and especially within the Town of Friday Harbor, OPAL serves as the Gold Standard for success. Time and time again despite our very challenging islander circumstances.
There are a number of examples of Island Exceptionalism that foster community values and provide tangible resilience in very troubling times, but in my book OPAL
among the great land trusts, is just plain awesome.