
Ellensburg City Council Approves Funding for New Water Bender Habitat Project
We are excited about the recent funding we received from the City’s Affordable Housing Fund and eager to bring more affordable housing directly to Kittitas County. The project represents a milestone in the organizations history as we embark on a new chapter as part of our joint efforts with our sister affiliate, Seattle-King County Habitat for Humanity.
The proposal was our first as part of our new strategic partnership with SKC Habitat for Humanity, and really speaks to what we can accomplish together for the hard working families in Kittitas County.
The project, located at 113 W. Bender Road, is expected to break ground in the summer of 2021. It will consist of 18 new homes serving a range of household sizes with all homes sold to those making less than 80% average median income (AMI), with three of the homes reserved for those making 60% AMI or less.
When completed, each of the 18 units will offer three bedrooms and 1- 1/2 bathrooms, allowing for flexibility in buyer needs for multi-generational families, couples, as well as accommodating small and large families.
The properties will be placed in Habitat’s Land Trust, ensuring permanent affordability for future generations and families. Through this 99-year renewable, inheritable lease that includes resale restrictions and a resale formula, this allows for equity creation that provides the owner an average of $48,300 in equity creation, based on past land trust resale properties.
We will utilize in-kind contributions for the project including donated appliances, paint, house wrap, and foam board as provided by a large-scale partnership Habitat for Humanity International provides to Kittitas County. Volunteer labor will be a large part of this project so stay tuned for more information on how you can get involved.
Information on the homeowner application process is available on buyhabitat.org and we will be contacting interested families by April 2021.
We hope you’ll join us for the groundbreaking celebration this summer and we will have more exciting details to come!