{"id":1666,"date":"2016-07-28T20:52:38","date_gmt":"2016-07-28T20:52:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.opalclt.org\/?page_id=1666"},"modified":"2018-08-28T10:15:03","modified_gmt":"2018-08-28T17:15:03","slug":"lets-do-this","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.opalclt.org\/es\/lets-do-this\/","title":{"rendered":"Let’s Do This!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"let's<\/h1>\n

OPAL\u2019s three-year initiative to sustain the vitality of our Orcas community:<\/h1>\n

increase the number of affordable rentals<\/em>
\n expand the availability of mortgage financing<\/em>
\n broaden OPAL\u2019s ability to help islanders keep a roof over their heads<\/em><\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

Comprom\u00e9tase ahora: descargue el formulario en PDF<\/a><\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

The island\u2019s acute need for affordable housing is putting our economic viability at risk.<\/h2>\n

The lack of affordable housing on Orcas \u2013 especially rental housing \u2013 is directly affecting our local economy. Businesses can\u2019t find staff to fill jobs because prospective employees can\u2019t find places to live.<\/p>\n

A survey of employers listed lack of housing as a primary barrier to hiring sufficient employees.* And the problem extends beyond our shops and restaurants. The school district, OPALCO and others need stable, affordable housing to recruit and retain qualified staff.<\/p>\n

OPAL is proposing to help meet this need by building the first major rental development on Orcas in nearly 30 years.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Another critical piece to the housing puzzle is lack of financing. Bank rules for mortgage loans have tightened so that many previously creditworthy islanders can no longer qualify. One answer is to turn to private individuals for loans. It\u2019s a model that OPAL is pursuing and shows great promise.<\/p>\n

* J Robertson and Company, Olympia, WA, 2016
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With your support:<\/h2>\n

\"opal45 new affordable rentals on North Beach Road
\n<\/strong>In 2015 OPAL identified 3.8 acres of suitable land north of town (on North Beach Road, across from Children\u2019s House). After two years of community meetings, planning, designing, and fundraising, OPAL purchased the property in August 2017 with funds donated by supporters and a loan from the Washington State Housing Finance Commission.<\/p>\n

When the remaining funding is in place and construction is complete, tenants will be people who likely fit one of the following descriptions:<\/p>\n