HHCLT

Grounding our community with permanent affordability

Mission Statement:    We Build and Steward Vibrant, Sustainable Neighborhoods

with Permanently Affordable Homes and Community Spaces

Back in 2017, when we were forming the Start Up Committee to build a Community Land Trust here in Snohomish County, we were certain that the real estate market had left nearly half of our neighbors with no ability to own a home. At that time, the gap between a median-priced home in Snohomish County and the home that a median-income family could afford was more than $100,000. Today, it's about three times larger.  Housing instability is a great stressor for people-- impacting their health, their quality of life and their job performance. Our name, Homes and Hope Community Land Trust, calls out the connection between stable, affordable housing and general wellness.

Over the past two years, Homes and Hope Community Land Trust has purchased two parcels of vacant land in Everett.  The first site is in the permitting stage and will have 11 small homes (up to 1200 square feet) built in an intentional low-sensory-stimulation community. Next year, we will be building about 30 homes, most of which will be 1500 -1800 square feet. Meanwhile, we have started homeownership orientation meetings and homebuyers’ education, and over the next few months, we will be connecting Snohomish County families of low and moderate income to the resources they need to be able to buy a home that will be affordable for them!  Their children will grow up at an address that doesn't change, in a neighborhood where they will know their neighbors and their schools. These first Snohomish County community land trust buyers will be able to save money for vacations and retirement. They will be able to plan for life events, like first bicycles and summer camp; high school proms and graduations; weddings, in-laws and grandchildren, and with the affordability covenant through the community land trust, future Snohomish County families will be able to experience these same advantages that come with permanently affordable homeownership.

We have also started some conversations over the past few years that we plan to continue:  How can we reach communities who have been left out of the credit world and hence, homeownership? How can we build our homes so that people of all ages and stages of life can visit or live there? How can we foster community spirit through thoughtful planning of community infrastructure? What are the barriers to healthy, affordable living in our county? Join in our conversations: become a member. Support our mortgage readiness programs: donate here. Make a deeper impact: donate building materials or professional services. Create a permanent legacy: donate-- fully or partially-- raw land and/or houses.