NOTES from the DIRECTOR
The Methow Valley is showing its true colors once again. This past month has been a cacophony of resourceful solutions, impressive collaborative efforts, rainbows of inspirational acts, and love of community.
And….we are all still adjusting. Thank you to the many MHT supporters who have been reaching out to voice support for our long-term mission during this uncertain time. Until a few weeks ago, MHT had a clear strategic plan, timelines for final construction and closing on home sales for eager applicants, and fundraising goals to help fulfill the growing need for future housing in the Methow Valley.
And then, MHT experienced what every individual, non-profit and small business in the community has experienced
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Methow Housing Trust 2019 Annual Report
2019 was a year of building homes and building relationships. The Methow Housing Trust is so thankful for all the ways in which our community has helped create affordable homeownership opportunities this past year! See the highlights for MHT in 2019 and what is up next by reading the full report.
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Housing Trust achieves 'leap of faith' by Ann Mcreary, Methow Valley News
Chris and Keri Moore moved into their newly purchased home in the McKinney Ridge Neighborhood in Mazama during the week before Christmas, filled with awe at their good fortune.
The Moores purchased the last of nine houses completed over the past two years by Methow Housing Trust, which is building affordable homes in Mazama and Twisp. “We got incredibly lucky,” Chris Moore said. “We’ve never owned a house before.”
The couple, who are both 32, moved to the Methow Valley in 2016 from Chicago. “Over the past three years our love for the valley and our jobs and our community has gotten stronger,” Moore said.
They knew they wanted to settle permanently in the Methow Valley, because it offers the sense of community and the outdoor recreation opportunities they both love.
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A Feeling of Home
Happy Holidays Methow Housing Trust homeowners and community members! For most of us, the notion of the holidays is symbolized by the sharing of gratitude, gathering for a lovingly prepared meal with family and friends, and a feeling of home. Sharing holiday rituals transforms our homes, over time, from structures of wood, concrete and metal, to dwellings of memories and meaning.
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Fall Notes from the Director
For many, autumn is a time of introspection. At Methow Housing Trust, in addition to managing two construction projects (Phase 2 of home construction in Twisp and Mazama), this is a season of organizational and systems evaluation, on-going needs assessment, and documentation of the huge learning curve we've had the privilege of managing so far! Phase 1 homes are now occupied, and the neighborhood HOA's are starting to take form and design their community cultures.
As the Executive Director of MHT, I spend much of my reflective and creative energy thinking about our mission, and how this community can effectively address the acute affordable housing shortage we are experiencing. I recently spent some time with a nationally recognized Community Land Trust (CLT) guru, exploring the data behind the housing needs for our community.
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Methow Housing Trust Neighborhood Updates
Fall is upon us! Read on to see how both the Mazama and Twisp Neighborhoods are forming their new communities. And read about the progress being made on Phase 2 of construction for 8 more affordable homes. Also, see how to join us for our first Methow Housing Trust Volunteer Work Party October 26th at either the McKinney Ridge or Canyon Street Neighborhoods and take part in stewarding the common space of these new communities!
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Inslee tours the Methow
Methow Housing Trust Executive Director, Danica Ready, had a chance to sit down with Governor Jay Inslee to discuss affordable housing solutions in the Methow Valley. This meeting was one of many stops Inslee made on a recent trip to the Methow Valley. Here is an excerpt from an article about his recent visit.
The governor said he was impressed with the “dynamic activity,” creativity and innovation he learned about during his several hours in the valley.
At the same time, the governor said, the valley and region share some of the same problems that face communities around state — for instance, a lack of affordable housing. Inslee added that he wasn’t just referring to low-income housing, but also what he called “middle-range housing.”
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Homecoming: by Ann Mcreary, Methow Valley News
The Methow Housing Trust makes affordable ownership real
As she stood in the front yard of her new home on Canyon Street in Twisp, Theresa Days said buying her house means much more than having an affordable place to live. The experience has helped her regain a sense of belonging to a caring community.
“When my dad died, when I was 10, the community came together and helped,” said Days, 62, who grew up in the Methow Valley. “That’s what this is feeling like again. People are helping each other. That’s what this valley has always been about.”
Days was able to buy her two-bedroom home through the Methow Housing Trust, a nonprofit organization that is building homes in Twisp and Mazama for local residents who could not otherwise afford to buy a house.
A few years after her father died, Days moved away from the Methow Valley when her mother found work in Wenatchee, but “the valley was always home to me,” Days said. She moved back to 15 years ago and lived most recently with her partner in a small, federally subsidized apartment in Twisp.
A friend encouraged her last year to look into the new Canyon Street Neighborhood being developed by the Methow Housing Trust to provide affordable home ownership. Days said she tends to be mistrustful of people and their intentions — a result of past abusive relationships. So, she approached the staff of the Housing Trust cautiously.
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