OPAL Gala Returns Focus to Homeownership

The OPAL Gala kicks off at noon this Friday, June 24 and runs through Sunday, June 26. The theme for this year, Celebrating the Roots of Home, lifts up the power of homeownership opportunities for islanders.

For the past decade, OPAL has focused mainly on rental housing; both through the construction of April’s Grove as well as through acquiring existing rental properties on Orcas Island. The purchase of the Northern Heights Apartments is the most recent example.

With so many Orcas residents struggling to find a place to live, and the growing list of homeowner applicants, OPAL has decided to get back to its roots. For the next few years, the organization is refocusing on creating homes that islanders can afford to own.

A new neighborhood on Kidder Way is now in the planning phase. OPAL’s goal is to design houses that are accessible for all ages and abilities, and that are sustainable and reusable in order to decrease costs.

As OPAL looks to the future of housing on Orcas, the goal is to provide a range of options that meet people’s needs. When islanders have a stable place to live that is within their means, the whole community benefits.

To continue supporting strong roots of home here on Orcas Island, please join OPAL for its annual Gala. For more details on the event, visit the Gala2022 web page, www.opalclt.org/coming-soon-gala2022/, then come back for a live virtual session on Saturday, June 25 starting at 4:55pm. The event runs all weekend long.