The world, our local community and our personal lives have all felt a tectonic shift this year.  We know this for sure, and yet, we are not entirely sure what the shift means yet. What has changed permanently? What helpful lessons have we learned that might make us stronger and wiser moving forward? And how will we react to all that is both gained and lost, when that becomes more clear?

I’ve been thinking about this a lot as it relates to housing security (and uncertainty) in the Methow Valley.  Too many of our community members face housing uncertainty every day.  As of September, we know that the median Methow Valley home price has shifted radically. In the past 3 years, median home prices went from $318,000 in 2018, to $329,000 in 2019, and a stunning leap to $440,000 in 2020 (Methow Valley News, Oct 7th, 2020).  The median Methow Valley wage can only support a $160,000-$200,000 mortgage. When MHT opened its doors back in 2018, we estimated that 50% of local residents were permanently priced out of the housing market.  Today, we have to assume that statistic is even more dramatic. And so……we’ve got our work cut out for us, now more than ever.  How will we, as a community, react to this tectonic shift?

Some things never change. We remain a unique community.  We are a community that operates from a mantra (coined by the Methow Conservancy) of LOVE THIS PLACE.  We embody this mantra to mean, love (and support and protect) not only the land, but also the history and beloved inhabitants of this place – all of its inhabitants, both old and new.

When community events return and we begin to reconnect in person, we will hug our long-time friends and welcome our new neighbors, inviting them into our long-time culture of Inspired Action as the Reaction to adversity and change. Methow Housing Trust is a community-based “Inspired Action” – a community “Reaction” to the losses of the 2014 and 2015 fires.  By 2021, our community’s reaction to the housing resiliency needs identified back in 2016 will have created 21 permanently affordable homes for local community members, and a plan to create ~50 more in the coming decade.  Whether you’ve been with us from the beginning, or you are just joining us now, thank you for being a part of loving this place.

The late Ruth Bader Ginsburg said this, “Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.”

We all need each other, this special place, and the promise that all community members can live, and work and thrive here. NOW, more than ever! – Together
 
Warmly,
Danica Ready, MHT Executive Director
 

PS - To learn more about the history of housing, both nationally and locally, please join us for a special educational presentation at the MHT Annual Meeting (Zoom) on November 12th.