Northern Heights, OPAL Community Land Trust

The Northern Heights Apartments located in Eastsound on Orcas is a 12-unit rental property was constructed in 1976. When OPAL Community Land Trust learned that the current owners were listing the property for sale, they sprung into action. A prospective purchaser wanted to convert the property to condominiums. Instead, the sellers entered into a purchase and sale agreement with OPAL, because they want the current tenants to continue to have an affordable place to live.

The original funding plan for OPAL involved the Washington State Housing Trust Fund, as well as private donations and the San Juan County Home Fund. After the State declined the fund the project, San Juan County stepped up along with numerous private donors to fill the gap and ensure that this valuable affordable housing would not be lost but instead remain affordable for the long term.

In addition to the acquisition of the apartments, OPAL is planning a major renovation of the building to ensure a long life for the project and the health and wellbeing of it’s tenants. The current tenants are all single individuals. Seven of them work in retail, for restaurants, or doing odd jobs. Four are seniors or have a disability that limits their ability to work. The current tenants have resided there an average of 8 years.

Visit OPAL’s website at: http://www.opalclt.org/