CHELAN—Over the past year, the Chelan Valley Housing Trust (CVHT) has evolved from a small group seeking solutions to Chelan’s housing crisis to an organization ready to break ground on their first project. By announcing a five-home development for middle income home buyers, CVHT’s vision of providing attainable housing is becoming a reality.

“A home of your own means a stable life and chance at success in our valley,” says Rachael Goldie, CVHT Administrator. “I’m glad that will soon be a reality for a few Chelan area working folks.”

Located at the corner of North Emerson Street and East Chelan Avenue, the new community of five townhomes will be named Emerson Village.  At a price point of $200,000, each townhome is available to home buyers who earn up to 100% of the valley’s average median income, which is $52,000.

“This first CVHT project is extremely exciting and is the first tangible step for our community to keep our town intact and help support a stable workforce,” begins Mayor Mike Cooney.

“There are many folks to say thanks to for believing in us and making it a reality,” adds Cooney, who takes an active role in fundraising for the nonprofit CVHT. To date, all the funding received by CVHT has come from local businesses, the city and private donors. 

According to CHVT President Tim Hollingsworth, the existing 1950’s home originally built on the double lot will be demolished in mid-November. Groundbreaking for Emerson Village will be later in the month. The first of the five townhomes is expected to be ready for move-in by August of 2020.

“The amazing support that CVHT received from the community has enabled us to take this first step in addressing the chronic shortage of housing for working families in our valley,” says Hollingsworth. “I believe that completing these first five homes will galvanize that community support and put us on the path to making a real impact in the future.”

The project is being designed by Forte Architects of Wenatchee and will be built by Eastern Washington Construction of Chelan. Each of the 1179 square foot townhomes will be two-story, with two bedrooms and 1.5 baths. Parking will be provided onsite as well as on the street.

Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a village to raise the roof on attainable housing.  During the build-out of Emerson Village, a “barometer of giving” sign will show the progress of community fundraising efforts for the CVHT community.

To donate funds or land to CVHT, or to inquire about home ownership at Emerson Village, visit chelanvalleyhousing.org or email info@chelanvalleyhousing.