Housing is one of the most pressing issues facing the central Gorge communities of Hood River and Klickitat counties. With a growing population, a booming tourism industry, and a limited supply of land, housing prices have skyrocketed in recent years, making it unaffordable for many local residents to buy or rent a home. According to RMLS data the current median sales price in Klickitat County is $650,000. In Hood River County it’s $675,000. These prices are unattainable even for those above the median income level.
This housing crisis has a negative impact on the social and economic well-being of the area. Many essential workers, such as teachers, medical staff, retail clerks, and seniors, are forced to commute long distances, live in substandard conditions, or leave the community altogether. This reduces the diversity, vitality, and resilience of the central Gorge communities and threatens their long-term sustainability.
One possible solution to this problem is Big River Community Land Trust (BRCLT), a nonprofit organization that aims to develop and steward a stable supply of permanently affordable, sustainably built housing for low- to moderate-income households. A community land trust (CLT) is a model of shared ownership, where the land is owned by the trust and leased to the homeowners, who own the buildings on the land. This way, the trust can ensure that the homes remain affordable for future generations, while also providing support and education to the homeowners.
“What I love about the community land trust model is that it’s not just about putting people into houses,” said Alysha Sherburne, new Executive Director of BRCLT. “When people are no longer struggling to secure or retain their housing, they then have the time and energy to be engaged, active members in their community.”
She’s witnessed this change in people firsthand as she spent the past two years working for OPAL Community Land Trust on Orcas Island, WA. OPAL is a well-established community land trust that has been around for over 30 years, providing both homeownership and rental opportunities. They currently house over 200 families, including about 10% of school age children in their community. Without OPAL, these islanders would likely have had to move off the island.
“What’s fun about OPAL is, because they’ve been around long enough, you start to see the ripple effect throughout the community. It wasn’t until I started working for them that I realized how many people I knew who either currently or had previously lived in one of their homes.”
The CLT model is gaining traction all around the country. Blaine County, Idaho, which includes Ketchum and Sun Valley, has faced similar escalating housing challenges to those in the Gorge. One of their biggest challenges was that the County School District was having a hard time attracting and retaining employees, due to both the rental and purchase prices of homes.
To try and solve the issue, the School District and ARCH Community Housing Trust formed a partnership to address what they termed a ‘housing crisis” for school staff and teachers. Since the District had excess land, they engaged with ARCH to build and manage both rental and for-purchase homes significantly below market rates.
ARCH Executive Director Michelle Griffith noted that “Since 2005, ARCH has transformed the way our community looks at housing affordability. By purchasing, restoring, and building properties in Blaine County, we are able to welcome into the neighborhood our teachers, police officers, hospital technicians, firefighters, nurses, and others who serve the community.”
Founded in 2019 by a group of local residents who saw the need for more affordable housing options in the area, BRCLT has been working to raise funds, acquire land, partner with developers and builders, and engage with potential homebuyers. The vision is to create neighborhoods that reflect the diverse needs and preferences of the community, such as single-family homes, townhouses, co-housing, or accessory dwelling units. They also plan to incorporate green building practices, such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation and waste reduction.
Big River CLT is currently seeking donations of land or money from individuals, businesses, foundations, or government agencies who share its mission and vision. They are also looking for volunteers who can help with various tasks, such as outreach, fundraising, research, or construction.
If you would like to learn more or support to Big River Community Land Trust, they will be featured at the Gorge Speakeasy on December 6th at The Ruins in Hood River. You can also visit them online at www.BigRiverCLT.org or reach out directly to Alysha at alysha@bigriverclt.org.