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 residential development near towns. Conservation easements held by the Methow Conservancy preserve the Methow Valley’s rural landscape by protecting important wildlife habitat, by supporting its agricultural heritage, and by preserving opens spaces, scenic views, and public access.

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. Although helping find solutions for housing concerns represents only a small part of our work, we are invested in successful, sustainable outcomes. Below are some valleywide efforts underway to address the Methow Valley's pressing housing issues.

• The Methow Housing Solutions Network, a consortium of many local organizations, focuses on affordable housing concerns and solutions in the valley.
• The Methow Housing Trust has constructed 49 permanently affordable homes, with another 24 to be completed by 2030, which as allowed local educators, servers, bakers, healthcare providers, and retail workers to become homeowners.
• The Okanogan Housing Authority is building 22 units of multi-family housing near Winthrop addresses low-income housing needs.
• Jamie’s Place Adult Family Home received a Game Changer Grant from the Methow Valley Fund to purchase two tiny homes to provide caregiver lodging. Jamie’s Place AFH is in the planning process to build a larger facility in Twisp.
• The Methow Conservancy gifted 6 acres to the Methow Housing Trust to create a neighborhood of permanently affordable homes for local residents.
• Some residents are building an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) to rent to a local resident; others have converted their ADUs from nightly rentals to long-term rentals. Still others have restructured their homes to provide a long-term rental space for locals.