The Island Loan Fund, a new program created by OPAL Community Land Trust, makes it possible for islanders who are creditworthy, but not yet eligible for a bank loan to access construction and mortgage financing. The Orcas Island Community Foundation has become the lead investor in the second pool of funding for OPAL’s new program. […]

When OPAL board president Tim Fuller read the article “San Juan islanders look to REET funds as affordable housing savior” in the Journal of the San Juans, he was concerned that readers would get the wrong impression. To read Tim’s full Letter to the Editor click here.

OPAL is holding a full rebid including a general contractor and sub-contractors. During the first bidding process, the majority of bids came in over budget, with numerous trades having not submitted bids at all. To read the full article in the Islands’ Sounder click here. To read the full article on Orcas Issues click here.

Last year, the groundwork for a solution to the housing crisis in San Juan county was laid when voters approved a tax to fund affordable housing projects. Local nonprofits, which already help to solve the housing crisis, are considering requesting funds to provide more reasonably-priced residences in the county. OPAL Community Land Trust Executive Director […]

In mid-November site work began on April’s Grove, OPAL’s planned 45-home rental neighborhood, when Island Excavating began clearing brush and felling trees. The crew is working carefully to remove trees where buildings will be constructed while maintaining the “preserve and protect” areas surrounding the trees and undergrowth that will remain. Also in November, OPAL’s general […]

It is with heavy hearts that we say good bye to a valued member of the OPAL community.  Homeowner and trustee, Ian Van Gelder passed away on Nov 21. Ian was involved with OPAL from the very beginning, and was one of the first homeowners at Opal Commons, where he lived with his family until his […]

Kim Malcolm from KUOW spoke with Lisa Byers about the lack of affordable housing in San Juan County and the importance of voting Yes on Proposition 1 this November. To listen to the full interview click here.

  With the largest grant in it’s history, the OICF Board generously contributed $250,000 to OPAL’s April’s Grove affordable rental project. For the full Islands’ Sounder article click here.

This week OPAL’s board of trustees submitted a letter to the editor of the Islands’ Sounder in support of Proposition 1. For the full letter in the Islands’ Sounder click here.

OPAL Community Land Trust will soon start to remove trees at the April’s Grove property. Jeanne Beck and Lisa Byers have worked for OPAL for most of its 28 years so they understand taking down trees may be hard to witness. OPAL is striving to keep as many of the existing trees as possible and […]