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‘I Love My Purple Door – Never Had One Before!’

Northern Heights resident Carol Gehlner is another Orcasonian with an amazing backstory revealing her versatile energy – a career ranging from teaching and coordinating education on military bases, to work for a UN affiliate, management of a chain of gift stores, radiology sales, condominium management and general contracting. “Plus, crewing and scheduling for a commercial yacht. I have had 55 years to do all of this and might be leaving something out,” Carol adds.

*Carol’s purple door symbolizes the comfort* *and security found beyond its threshold.*

She says the contractor for the Northern Heights renovation, Dennison Construction, was wonderful, tidy, and efficient every day, and went beyond to help her move back into her renovated apartment.

They completed her new kitchen around the microwave oven which she had previously installed. And then there’s her walk-in shower! New flooring and bright new exterior paint.

Living on Orcas, Carol says, “you just kind of have to accept what you get.”

She was looking for other housing before the OPAL project, with no affordable options to be found online. But with Northern Heights’ purchase, OPAL did an excellent job of “keeping the spirit alive” throughout renovation of the 12 apartments. Tenants stayed in already-completed units while their apartments were rejuvenated. Now these homes are upgraded for sustainability, with such things as heat pumps, new windows and added insulation throughout. And hers is permanently affordable for her, enabling her to stay on Orcas.

Working with OPAL, you get the feeling that people really care about you.” – Carol Gehlner

Working with Carol and her neighbors, OPAL gets reminded daily about the difference we can make for our Orcas community.

Pea Patch Update: OPAL to Acquire Land This Fall

*OPAL expresses gratitude to OICF as OPAL*
*will take ownership of the Pea Patch property.*

With approval by the boards of all four participating organizations, OPAL will become the new owner of the Pea Patch property in Eastsound, with the sale closing this fall.

Acquiring the 11-acre parcel, an effort initiated by the Community Foundation, marks the first step in an ongoing collaboration by the Food Bank, the Community Resource Center, and OPAL to address homelessness and provide a better safety net for islanders. The land will be a part of OPAL Community Land Trust, held in trust for the benefit of the Orcas community.

The land purchase and future coordinated efforts will offer a permanent, expanded home for the Food Bank, a new home for the Community Resource Center with convenient access to support services and a day-use center for islanders living in unstable or substandard situations, and 20 new affordable rentals for low- and very-low-income households, to be constructed by OPAL.

“The decision that OPAL assumes ownership speaks to the trust our fellow organizations have in us and in the community land trust model,” explained Lisa Byers, OPAL executive director. “It reflects our experience in owning and managing land on Orcas for 35 years. Taking this on goes to the very heart of our values of serving the needs of our community.”

Funding for the Pea Patch purchase came from private donations to OPAL and the Community Foundation, along with a low-interest loan from the state Housing Finance Commission. Pre-development activities are being supported by donations and grants, including one from San Juan County.

Taking this on goes to the very heart of our values of serving the needs of our community.”

— Executive Director Lisa Byers

Next Steps:

Governing Documents, a Steering Committee and an Open, Inclusive Design Process,

The next critical steps will involve drafting governing documents and establishing a steering committee. Then, meetings will be held with neighbors, community leaders, and islanders who have experienced housing instability to gather input and begin the design process. OPAL’s goal is to start housing construction in 2025.

Suriadi Burns’ Journey to Home

In April, 2022, as the specter of COVID-19 continued to cast a shadow over the globe, Suriadi Burns took an audacious leap of faith. Leaving her native Bali, Indonesia, she migrated with her three children, Sarah, Maria, and Thomas, to the United States. Her drive was fueled by determination to secure a brighter future and superior educational opportunities for her children.

Arriving on Orcas Island, a stark contrast to Bali, they shared a small cabin and trailer with a friend. Despite the close quarters, the family of four, bound by love, made the best of their year-round life.

Before finding their new home at an OPAL residence, they encountered several challenges. They grappled with maintaining essential infrastructures like water and septic systems, tasks often taken for granted by most residents. These became particularly challenging in the face of freezing weather. Eventually, circumstances necessitated a move from this first island home testing their resilience.

Suriadi reached a significant turning point on May 8, 2023. On her birthday, she stepped into their new house in April’s Grove. The joy of finally having a secure place turned her birthday into a celebration of unforgettable proportions. With just a sleeping bag and a pillow, she was filled with a profound sense of belonging, a euphoric realization of finally having a home she could call her own. It’s not merely a building. It’s our home,” Suriadi declared, her face radiant with joy.

Suriadi juggles three jobs to keep up with expenses. During the daytime, she works at Kingfish Inn. At night, she serves at Mijitas Mexican Kitchen restaurant. On weekends, Suriadi returns to the role of mom and caretaker.

Suriadi’s resilience shines through, as she recounts her experiences, stating that the hardships she endured in her earlier housing situations have not broken her; instead, they have strengthened her resolve. She has no plans to return to Bali and is determined to work hard to become an OPAL homeowner.

Suriadi is excited about the upcoming holiday season, where she plans to decorate a Christmas tree in her front entrance for neighborhood children and to host an open house for her neighbors.

This year we will celebrate as community, as a family.” – Suriadi Burns

RFQ – General Contractor

Fideicomiso de tierras comunitarias OPAL
Request for Qualifications, General Contractor
Eastsound, WA

Request for Qualifications are currently being accepted by OPAL Community Land Trust from General Contractors for new construction and associated site work of 10 townhomes of mixed income homeownership. The project consists of five duplex residential buildings. Each duplex includes an 824 sq. ft. one-bedroom with loft townhome and a 1,136 sq. ft. two-bedroom townhome. Property is located in Eastsound on Orcas Island. Deadline for submittals is 3:00pm on Friday, November 17, 2023.

Do wnload the RFQ here or call OPAL Community Land Trust’s Project Manager at 360-317-5298 or email jeanne@opalclt.org. OPAL Community Land Trust is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.

Request for Qualifications

Housing Security Creates Happier, Healthier Families

Sara Lucia is grateful to be an OPAL homeowner. She attributes the affordability of her home as an important part of why she and her husband have been able to make some needed changes in their lives. Most recently, it has given them the opportunity to “change jobs, spend more time as a family, [and] show our kids that it’s okay to make changes in your life that you need to make.”

You’ve likely met Sara and her husband Jon Chappelle, and if not, you’ve probably had one of their sandwiches. The pair created a number of mouthwatering combinations at their former Eastsound restaurant Voyager. Many islanders were sad when they decided to close their doors last fall, but for Jon and Sara, selling their restaurant was the right decision.

“Our business was really successful – Jon and I have always worked together well – but it was too taxing on us as a family. “

Jon Chappelle and Sara Lucia with their kids.

Being small business owners was particularly challenging with two active young children. Shuffling between closing shop for the day and getting their son and daughter to after school activities was tiresome. They finally decided that rather than support a growing business, they wanted the time and energy to support their growing children.

The couple have since taken on new interests and professions. Jon is now working with Rainshadow Solar and Sara is taking classes to become an elementary school teacher, while also subbing at the public-school. Having a home with an affordable mortgage payment has given them room to make these choices without being overwhelmed by a huge financial burden. It also allows them more time to enjoy activities together as a family.

I feel really really fortunate, and lucky, and grateful to have an OPAL home so that I can make happy, healthy choices for our family.
Sara Lucia

The “Hidden Homelessness”

Homelessness on Orcas looks different than in urban areas. Many rural homeless individuals live in places we do not see. They may be in the woods on private property, cars, sheds, tents and other places not intended for permanent habitation. Many live in substandard housing or RVs without adequate heat, water or septic. On Orcas, like other rural locations, the greatest concern is poor housing quality. 

In addition, housing pressures and the seasonal nature of work leads many into a cycle of homelessness, often disproportionately affecting children and families. Many of the individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness work, but at very low-wage jobs.

Prevention is the most cost-effective way to address homelessness. This means, in addition to increasing the supply of available homes, providing support services, rental or utility subsidies and connection to healthcare for those at risk of becoming one of the “Hidden Homeless” on Orcas. 

For those living in these substandard situations, the planned Day Center at the Community Resource Center on the Pea Patch Property will help provide access to hygiene, cooking facilities, water and, most importantly, knowledgeable staff to assist with resources.

A recent Point-In-Time count on Orcas, conducted in January, revealed the following:

Number of People Experiencing Homelessness	19
Number of People At-Risk of Becoming Homeless	28
Number of People Lacking Basic Amenities	29
Without Drinking Water	5
Without a Restroom	6
Without Heat	4
Without Cooking Facilities	3
Without Bathing Facilities	6

-Written by Heather Stansbury

Nurturing the Communities of Wild Rose Meadow: John and Vicki Clancy

In the twelve years that the Wild Rose Meadow neighborhood has matured as a warm, hospitable place for humans, another sort of community has taken root along with it: a diverse, green native plant community in the restored wetlands that form a buffer on the Meadows’ south and west sides.

John and Vicki Clancy in the Wild Rose Meadow wetlands

Repair or replacement of wetlands, located both on the Wild Rose Meadow acreage and the Stonebridge Wetland off Terrill Beach Road, was part of State approval for Wild Rose Meadow’s creation. This required an initial planting by Robin Kucklick and Joe Bullock, and years of professional supervision by Scott Rozenbaum from Lopez.

Key to ensuring the growth and health of the wetlands in Wild Rose Meadow has been the years of dedicated work by neighborhood volunteers John and Vicki Clancy, steadfast stewards of the land who adopted the wetlands as their ecological ward.

Walking the wetlands through a gentle network of paths they have created and maintain along with their son, Willie, John and Vicki can tell you about the history of individual plants. Like how this cedar tree has shot up 12 feet overhead in a “sweet spot” of soft ground while its nearby siblings are growing more slowly, punching their way through more compact soils on parts of the former home- construction staging site the Clancys have now helped reclaim.

The Clancys have been busy over the years. Planting, transplanting, strategic pruning, watering by hand with buckets from the pond when needed, fencing to give the new plant community safety from hungry deer. All of these activities have resulted in a diverse enclave of native plants and even produced a landing spot for ducks –a flock of five, so far.

For the human community, the neighborhood wetlands have also become a visual and sound buffer between their homes and the traffic on Mt. Baker Road.

The State has now declared the wetlands sufficiently established and not in need of further supervision. Yet John, Vicki, and Willie intend to continue their stewardship for the years to come as this plant community continues to mature.

Soon some fences will be coming down for plants that have made strong enough claims to withstand the deer. John is grateful for the opportunity to become intimate with the wetlands, and is happy to continue helping “nature use her intelligence” to prevail.

– Written by Margaret Mills, President, OPAL Board of Trustees

Answering the Need: 10 New Homes on Kidder Way

There are currently more than 40 Orcas families who are pre-approved to purchase an OPAL home. You know these islanders. They are our construction workers, landscapers, housekeepers, teachers, customer service, automotive, hospitality, office and retail staff.

In answer to this need for housing, OPAL is seeking $1.9 million from the County’s Home Fund to build 10 new permanently affordable homes in Eastsound.

The Kidder Way neighborhood is being designed collaboratively by a team of professionals with guidance from a volunteer planning committee, OPAL staff and trustees, neighbors and prospective homeowners.

The design features five new duplex buildings with a common walkway connecting each home to the parking area. There will be six one-bedroom homes with lofts and four two-bedroom homes. Each will include a ground-floor bedroom and bath for accessibility, porches and enclosed outdoor storage areas.

Like all OPAL projects, there is a strong focus on low-impact development and sustainability. The parking areas and pathways will be pervious pavement, and there will be rain gardens to absorb and filter stormwater run-off. In addition, a shared two-sided electric vehicle (EV) charging station will be installed, with conduit for more EV chargers if needed in the future.

There were more than $6 million in requests for the $3.3 million in grant funding that San Juan County announced this spring. County staff evaluated and ranked OPAL’s Kidder Way as the highest scoring project and proposed full funding to the County Council. The County Council awarded a grant of $1.7 million, which is about $200,000 less than OPAL requested. OPAL will increase requests for other grants, and the first-in commitment from the County bodes well for securing more grants.

Total estimated cost for 10 new residences is $5.6 million:

• Homebuyers’ mortgages will cover 35% of costs

• OPAL is applying for nearly $3 million in grants

• $1 million in funding is needed from donors and private foundations

Your Support for OPAL Ripples Beyond Orcas Island

The welcome mat is always out when other Community Land Trusts (CLTs) want to visit Orcas. They come to see OPAL neighborhoods, ask questions and share insights. OPAL staff and trustees appreciate the opportunity and the exchange.

*Lisa Byers and Julie Brunner presenting at the Northwest Community Land Trust Coalition conference.*

As one of the Northwest’s first CLTs, OPAL has developed many different types of housing, successfully adapted to changing community needs and managed countless challenges with each new project. Many of the staff have now worked together for decades, amassing a wealth of knowledge and experience.

“We’re adamantly open-source when it comes to sharing information,” explained Executive Director Lisa Byers. “We come away from these interchanges with other CLTs feeling grateful and energized. OPAL can provide valuable perspective and it’s a chance for us to ask questions and learn.”

In the spring CLT staffers came from San Juan, Lopez and Whidbey islands to tour OPAL neighborhoods and talk about how the organizations can do more together.

During the summer, the staff of Kulshan CLT in Bellingham came to visit. Discussion topics included construction methods and energy efficiency, new office systems and how to work more efficiently.

Then in September, the Methow Housing Trust made Orcas part of its annual staff retreat. The new CLT has properties in Twisp, Mazama and Winthrop. On their agenda: interacting with owners and their communities, and growth strategies for the next 10 years.

“We’re adamantly open-source when it comes to sharing information,”
-Lisa Byers, Executive Director

OPAL staff also regularly makes presentations at the regional gathering of the Coalición de Fideicomiso de Tierras Comunitarias del Noroeste and participates in the Red de soluciones conectadas a tierra national housing conference.

This fall Lisa spoke on Bainbridge Island at the annual fundraiser for Housing Resources Bainbridge. Next year OPAL Housing Director Julie Brunner will once again co-lead the Capacity Building Institute for the Northwest CLT Coalition.

None of this would happen without you. Thank you!

Working for the Long Haul: Your Gifts Create Healthier Housing

The last two years have provided OPAL with the opportunity to conserve long-term rental housing on the island.

Nineteen affordable rentals, at Northern Heights across from the library and on Mt. Baker Road near the airport, came on the market in 2021. With some timely help from you and other supporters, OPAL purchased the properties so they would continue to provide affordable housing.

*A look at some of the upgrades happening at the Northern Heights Apartments.*

Now your gifts are working hard to produce healthier, more energy-efficient spaces for people to live. OPAL is in the process of renovating these apartments, unit by unit, with an already-completed “loaner” apartment at each location where current tenants can reside while their apartment is renovated. The updating of these rental homes aims for decades of continuous sustainable and affordable comfort.

These upgrades go beyond the building code and set a higher standard. This includes adding such things as heat pumps, all-electric kitchens with new appliances, new flooring, new insulated windows, cabinets and interior doors where needed, and providing aging-in-place features such as bathroom safety grab bars.

Your gifts are working hard to produce healthier, more energy-efficient spaces for people to live.

In the process, some challenges have emerged, none alien to older housing, but all requiring immediate attention. That means taking on tasks like installing an entirely new septic system at the Mt. Baker property.

In addition, there has been work to mitigate hazardous conditions. This includes such things as asbestos tucked away under a kitchen sink, hazardous substance detection that required complete removal of wall and ceiling surfaces in one unit, and the presence of black mold (more than could be seen on inspection for purchase) that was revealed as floors and wall surfaces were upgraded.

None of this will surprise you if you’ve been through your own renovations. It just requires everyone to be flexible, and sometimes creative. As OPAL remains dedicated to the goal of getting it right for the long haul, we appreciate your support in providing permanently affordable, ecologically sustainable, comfortable and healthy homes for residents.

‘I Love My Purple Door – Never Had One Before!’

Pea Patch Update: OPAL to Acquire Land This Fall

Next Steps:

Suriadi Burns’ Journey to Home

RFQ – General Contractor

Fideicomiso de tierras comunitarias OPAL
Request for Qualifications, General Contractor
Eastsound, WA

Housing Security Creates Happier, Healthier Families

The “Hidden Homelessness”

Nurturing the Communities of Wild Rose Meadow: John and Vicki Clancy

Answering the Need: 10 New Homes on Kidder Way

Your Support for OPAL Ripples Beyond Orcas Island

Working for the Long Haul: Your Gifts Create Healthier Housing

Your gifts are working hard to produce healthier, more energy-efficient spaces for people to live.

Dar a OPAL

Contáctenos

Next Steps:

Fideicomiso de tierras comunitarias OPALRequest for Qualifications, General ContractorEastsound, WA

Your gifts are working hard to produce healthier, more energy-efficient spaces for people to live.

Dar a OPAL

Contáctenos

Fideicomiso de tierras comunitarias OPAL
Request for Qualifications, General Contractor
Eastsound, WA