Supporting the Local Economy through Affordable Housing

The Methow Valley is in an affordable housing crisis, particularly for local workers. We believe that housing security is an essential component of a diverse, thriving community and a resilient, sustainable economy. As a land trust, we recognize that we need to find ways to provide land for wildlife, for farming, for trails, and for community.

In our land protection projects since 1996 (which include more than 12,000 protected acres, with 31 miles of protected shoreline) we have always encouraged clustering development near towns, while protecting larger open spaces in the outer reaches of the Methow Valley.

In support of the local economy and the local workforce we:

1) gave Larkspur Flats, six acres of land in the Heckendorn neighborhood of Winthrop, to the Methow Housing Trust, which plans to build a neighborhood of homes that are permanently affordable for those who live and work in the Methow Valley;

2) are committed to creating a place on Sunny M close to town for a future affordable neighborhood; and

3) developed and maintain our dynamic State of the Methow report, which includes a section on the status and trends in real estate and housing availability, demand, and affordability.

We also participate regularly in the Methow Housing Solutions Network, which is focused on addressing the shortage of affordable housing in the Methow Valley.