The Methow Housing Trust wants to hear what is important to you in the work we do to provide permanently affordable, quality housing for residents of the Methow Valley. Throughout 2021 we will be hosting small group discussions with a focus on learning what is important to you, and how we can reach our community goals for housing security better, together. Sign up to our Community Voices Email List to be notified of these opportunities.
Read MoreThe 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.
Aspen Ostlie-Pritchard was born and raised in the Methow Valley, but never thought she’d be able to buy a house here “because the price of homes is so ridiculous.”
But last month she and her 9-year-old son moved to a newly built home on Canyon Street in Twisp, the final house sold this year by the Methow Housing Trust.
“It’s still a bit surreal that this is mine,” Ostlie-Pritchard said. “I’ve rented all my life.”
Her house is one of nine homes constructed on Canyon Street over the past three years by the nonprofit Methow Housing Trust, which develops affordable housing in the valley. Four more houses will be completed by the Housing Trust on Canyon Street by next summer, and eight houses have been built and sold in Mazama.
For the past eight years, Ostlie-Pritchard and her son Wyatt lived in the Twisp Riverview Apartments, which provides rentals for low-income households. Ostlie-Pritchard worked part-time as a bartender in Twisp. If she worked full-time, even at minimum wage, she said her income would have disqualified her from the subsidized apartment — but would not have provided enough income to afford scarce rental units elsewhere in the valley.
Read MoreWho is served by the Methow Housing Trust? What if I make below or above the income guidelines? What are the eligibility requirements? Read on to see Frequently Asked Questions and answers related to the Methow Housing Trust.
Read MoreThe need to reduce mortgage payments to make ends meet during the COVID-19 crisis is real and necessary for many people. This arrangement made with your lender/ loan servicer, called forbearance, is temporary and you must pay the money back in the future.
For many lenders/ servicers the issue of forbearance is being dealt with on an individual case by case basis. It is important that you contact your lender/ servicer of your loan to find out what they are doing for individuals who need payment relief through forbearance.
Many people are worried that if they enter into forbearance, they will be obligated to pay a large lump sum of money at the end of the forbearance period.
When I accepted the position of Executive Director for the Methow Housing Trust nearly three years ago, I was well acquainted with the Community Land Trust (CLT) model of permanently affordable homeownership - but I was totally unaware of the origins of the model. I soon came to understand that that the CLT model was born out of the Civil Rights Movement in the deep south in the 1960’s, in an effort to create housing equity for people of color who were unable to get a foothold into secure housing in their own communities. Today, the history of our mission feels more relevant than ever - for Black Americans, and for marginalized people in our own community.
The national association of CLT’s shared these thoughts in a recent newsletter:
Join McKinney Ridge homeowners on a tour of their neighborhood and learn about the qualities and features of a Methow Housing Trust home.
Read MoreFour new Methow Housing Trust affordable homes in the McKinney Ridge neighborhood sold to local families this May. The MHT staff and homeowners of the first phase of homes welcomed their new neighbors with a parade on Friday May 15th. The Methow Housing Trust anticipates another 4 families closing on home sales on Canyon Street in early summer.
While these new homeowners have been working to become purchase ready for months, or even years, everything seemed uncertain with the COVID-19 pandemic in March.
There are many different ways that Methow Valley residents become homeowners. One option is to build your own home. Methow Housing Trust values being a steward to our land and building quality, affordable homes. In keeping with these values and the desire to help those in our community, Methow Housing Trust is developing resources to help families build affordable houses on their own or affordably hire a contractor.
Read MoreAs things continue to evolve and change with COVID-19, it can be daunting to try to stay abreast of the most current information. Many people, including landlords, may not be aware of the new rules regarding evictions during COVID-19. Here you'll find a few take aways from the recent proclamation by Governor Inslee, made April 16th, related to protections for residential and commercial tenants.
Read More
