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In August, OPAL purchased 3.8 acres of land in Eastsound for April’s Grove, The property is located on North Beach Road, directly across the street from Children’s House. Plans include 45 rental townhouses that are affordable for individuals and families whose incomes range from $12,000 to $70,000 per year. The neighborhood will also feature a commons building, community garden, children’s play area and parking.
The purchase was made possible by donations from individuals, a low-interest-rate loan from the Washington State Housing Finance Commission, and by islanders Jim and Betsy Nelson, owners of the property.
OPAL’s eleventh “recycled house” arrived on island August 17th. Previously, it was located on Lake Union in Seattle, where Peter Erickson and Brigitte Bertschi raised their family. After learning about OPAL’s history of relocating houses, they decided to donate their much-loved home, along with funding to help pay for the move. Peter and Brigitte are delighted to know that it will become a home for another family.
Look for the house at 54 Mountain View Street in Eastsound.
Lieutenant Governor Cyrus Habib and Senator Kevin Ranker spoke in support of affordable housing at the OPAL Rally at the Village Green on July 12th.
“OPAL, for years, has been the driving force in making sure that we maintain the diversity in our community,” said Ranker. “What we need to do is support OPAL so we can continue to have that diverse, thriving community that we love.”
Read the complete Islands’ Sounder article here
Increase the chances for getting new rental housing on Orcas Island by asking your Washington State legislators to vote for policies that help create affordable housing.
Celebrating Lisa Byers’ 20th year as OPAL’s executive director are (left to right) OPAL co-founder and trustee Penny Sharp Sky, Lisa Byers, returning trustee Helen Bee, and newly elected trustee Anne Bertino.
Following a recap of OPAL Community Land Trust’s activities in 2015 and the election and recognition of new and retiring trustees, a highlight of OPAL’s 26th annual meeting on April 26 was the surprise celebration of Lisa Byers’ 20 years of leadership as executive director..
“Lisa became executive director of OPAL in 1996,” said co-founder and trustee Penny Sharp Sky, who told the story of first meeting Byers back East through mutual friends and encouraging her to move to Orcas.
“Over the past two decades Lisa’s hard work and devotion to the people and life of this island have been extraordinary,” said Sky. “She has helped make possible every one of the 114 affordable houses and apartments that OPAL has added since she arrived.”
More than 70 islanders packed the Episcopal Parish Hall for OPAL’s annual review of affordable housing activities. Byers reported that in 2015 OPAL moved, renovated and sold to new owners five “recycled” houses from Orcas, Seattle, Poulsbo and Belfair. In addition, OPAL staff facilitated the resale of seven other OPAL homes.
New homeowners include islanders who work in restaurants, retail, carpentry, photography, education and social service.
It was reported that last year 360 households and businesses supported OPAL with contributions of $302,469. In addition, OPAL was awarded grants of $166,461 from federal, state, county and private foundation sources.
“Last year was also significant in that OPAL received more than $1.5 million in bequests from strong, steadfast supporters,” said Byers. “Those dollars were added to OPAL’s endowment to secure the organization’s long-term sustainability.”
Out-going trustees Rollie Sauer, Suzanne Olson and Douglas Ellis were recognized and thanked for their many contributions.
Anne Bertino, a member of OPAL’s building committee, was elected to her first three-year term as a trustee. She brings experience in green building and design, energy efficient systems, and interior space planning.
Helen Bee, who heads the OPAL fundraising committee, and previously served as a trustee for nine years, was welcomed back to the board after term-limiting off last year.
Board president Bob Gamble and trustee Vicki Brems were re-elected to three-year terms.
Incorporated in 1989, OPAL serves 132 rental and ownership Orcas Island households and continues to accept applications from people who are not able to purchase a house in the traditional market. For more information, go to: www.opalclt.org or call (360) 376-3191.
The OPAL 2016 Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 26 in the Parish Hall of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Eastsound. The event begins at 5 P.M. and the first hour includes hors d’oeuvres, a brief business meeting and the year-in-review presentation by Lisa Byers. At approximately 6 P.M., we’ll enjoy a potluck meal and social hour.
Your donations covered the costs of moving and renovating this house. Here you see it arriving by barge on Orcas Island.
And here’s how it appears today, providing a loving home for a single mom who has lived on Orcas most of her life.
She joins nine other homeowners who have been able to purchase a moved-and-renovated house through OPAL since 2011. All of these wonderful older houses were saved from the landfill and will continue to provide island families with a home they can afford for generations to come.
You did it — thanks!
June 2015 – Two more houses arrived by barge on the same day – one from West Seattle and the other from Langley, B.C.
The house from West Seattle was the topic of a news clip on King5 news.
The reporter followed up by coming to Orcas to create another news story highlighting the need for affordable housing on the island.
April 2014: As part of celebrating OPAL’s 25 year anniversary, we decided to create a report to send to all the businesses and individuals on Orcas Island, Our Report to You- 25 Years of Affordable Housing. The report reveals some of the milestones for the organization and is enhanced by Carla Stanley’s whimsical illustrations.
In case you don’t get mail on island, follow this link to a PDF. If you’d like to have your own professionally printed copy please contact us at (360) 376-3191 or office@opalclt.org and we’ll drop one in the mail to you. Enjoy!
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