HRB keeps pushing for affordable housing

Clearing work is continuing along Wyatt and Madison on Bainbridge Island for a partial affordable housing project.

Construction is expected to finish in early 2025.

Housing Resources Bainbridge is part of the development of an 80-unit, mixed-income residential community in downtown Winslow. HRB is acquiring 13 rental units at the cost to build from Madison Avenue Development. HRB plans to add them to their community land trust to be kept permanently affordable for low-income households.

The complex at 550 Madison Ave., formerly owned by Housing Kitsap, replaces 13 affordable units that were once there.

In 2019, when Housing Kitsap was looking to sell, residents launched a “Save 550 Madison Avenue” campaign to try to save the affordable units there. HRB raised $300,000 from the community and was able to work with Madison Avenue Development to get the 13 units incorporated into its market-rate complex.

HRB eventually raised $4 million for the purchase, including half of that from the city from American Rescue Plan Act funds.

It is one of many HRB affordable housing complexes on BI. HRB executive director Phedra Elliott said they have worked with about 250 households this year interested in buying affordable housing, with 100 on a waiting list. They also have a waiting list of about 100 for any affordable rental units.

Elliott said they are hard to get in to because they only have a turnover of one or two houses a year and three to five rentals a year.

“It seems a lot higher this year because during COVID nobody was moving anywhere,” she said, adding that some of the turnover is rentals because they start making more money so they no longer qualify to live there.

Wintergreen Townhomes is a community of 73 homes, 31 two-bedroom ones of which are affordable. The base price is $369,000. To help bridge the affordability gap, HRB will contribute $15,000 in Housing and Urban Development funds, which require sweat equity. That means buyers will help with final stages of construction. The first homes are expected in January 2024. They are located near Virginia Mason and Walgreens on Wintergreen Lane.

HRB also will operate the Ericksen Community of affordable housing. It was sold to HRB at a fraction of its value, thanks to a donor. It is 100% affordable multifamily residences. There are 12 one-bedroom and six 3-bedroom 2-bath units. HRB is fundraising for the project, received some county funding, and is waiting on a state grant.

HRB has operated Ferncliff Village since 2016.

HRB came about because of the high cost of housing on BI. People who work here can’t afford to live here. Longtime residents can’t afford to stay, and young families can’t afford to move here, which hurts the school system because enrollment is how state funding is determined.

HRB is a community land trust that develops land for affordable housing. They have 44 homes with more on the way. They own eight properties with 90 homes. About 150 households inquire about purchasing a home from HRB every year, and there are over 140 families waiting for an apartment. The Madison and Ericksen developments will bring 30 plus more rental homes. They have 90 rental houses and 44 homes, with 31 on the way, available for purchase.

In an HRB online video, executive director Phedra Elliott says the Comp Plan calls for more affordable housing and it is needed more than ever on Bainbridge.

In that same video, Gretchen Wilson said she lived at 550 Madison for 10 years when one day a sign on her door said she would have 20 days to move out once the unit was sold or she’d have to pay market rent. She said the community responded with Save 550 Madison.

Jackie Brasefield, homeownership program director, said that program deals with moderate- and low-income folks. She said many are retirees who worked for decades on BI, but suddenly found home ownership out of reach. Many others in the program are families with children.

She said very few, if any, were homeless before getting housing. Actually, every one has a least one person working, and often more than that.

“The cost of housing is so expensive,” not only on BI but all over, she said.

With a community land trust home, monthly mortgage payments are stable and there are no rent increases, you can build equity, and mortgages are tax deductible. But if you sell it has to be to another qualified homeowner.

Bethany Lutheran Church also has plans to build affordable housing, and the city of BI also is looking into it.

Other HRB developments

Wallace cottages: Completed in 2022, two 3-bedroom townhomes, part of mixed-income neighborhood.

Ferncliff Village 2: Completed in 2016, 16 townhomes.

Ferncliff Village 1: Completed in 2014, 24 single-family homes.

Sparrows: Donated in 2010, two stacked, 1-bedroom modular units.

Dore cabin: Donated in 2008, a studio, standalone home.

Janet West: Completed in 2004, eight 1-bedroom apartments and one 2-bedroom apartment.

Sadie Woodman House: Acquired in 2000, a single-family, three-bedroom home.

Western View Terrace: Donated in 1997, HRB owns two of the seven buildings with eight 2-bedroom apartments.

Forest home: Donated in 1994, a single-family home.

Village home: Completed in 1994, 12 one-bedroom apartments.