Homestead Community Land Trust News

Save the Date! Homestead Membership Meeting!

Come and join us in community at Homestead’s 2008 Annual Membership Meeting.   It will be a fun evening at the Central District’s own Central Cinema with wine and a light fare, community building, membership activities and voting. 

The event will be held:

Tuesday, October 21, 2008
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Central Cinema
1411 21st Avenue
Seattle WA 98122

This year we are pleased to present the first Ryan Neff Affordable Housing Award to Habitat for Humanity of Seattle/South King County.  Please join us to honor them!

Homestead Community Land Trust’s members and supporters help us accomplish a vital mission in our community and keep homes affordable for generations. 

Please contact us if you would like to help with the following:

□ Volunteer at the event with set up and coordination
□ Help promote Homestead membership in our community

Voting to elect the 2008-2009 Homestead Board Members will occur toward the end of the evening.

There is no cost to attend.  For more information about the event, please contact Kristin Bolken at 206.323.1227 or kristin@homesteadclt.org.

Partner in Affordability

By Kristin Bolken

One of the most exciting aspects of Homestead Community Land Trust homeownership is that it cultivates a genuine partnership between each household and the community.

Homestead homeowners benefit from community generosity and government support and share their good fortune with future homeowners when they resell their home at an affordable price.  Once a home is purchased it becomes a permanent part of the land trust.  Our homes create a vibrant and diverse community we all can afford and enjoy. This is a true partnership to be celebrated!

On February 2nd, Michael Lovelady hosted just such a celebration at his condo on Capitol Hill.  Jeff Green with Windermere Realty and Fred Corbit with the Northwest Justice Project joined Homestead staff and Board for appetizers and drinks to honor this unique partnership.  It was great to take a pause and enjoy the work of the organization and the legacy that is being created. 

Rainier Valley Community Gathering on Development and Gentrification

Facilitated by Dwayne Marsh of Policy Link, this event will explore the dynamics of gentrification and what the Rainier Valley can do to ensure that all its residents benefit from the forthcoming Rainier Valley redevelopment.

Saturday June 17th, 10 AM – 2 PM

New Holly Gathering Hall
7054 – 32nd Ave S

Free lunch and childcare provided.

Translated materials and interpretation available in Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Somali, Amharic, and Tigrigna.

RSVP required for childcare and interpretation. Please call 206-953-5482 to RSVP.

Sponsored by:
Homestead Community Land Trust
A Legacy for Equality, Leadership and Organizing (LELO)
Southeast District Council
Tenants Union

HCLT breaks new ground with Habitat for Humanity partnership

HCLT will add seven homes to its portfolio over the next 18 months through an innovative partnership with Seattle/South King County Habitat for Humanity and the City of Seattle.

Some homes will be new construction, others fully remodeled. Three were structurally sound cottages saved from the wrecking ball by being moved to new locations in a “house parade” along city streets early May 21st. Habitat is coordinating the construction and its signature sweat equity component, as well as financing for the buyers.

The City of Seattle’s Office of Housing is providing vacant lots to the partnership, lowering the project costs. Savings are passed along to low-income buyers, promoting its affordable housing goals.

Homestead Community Land Trust will own the land under each home, and lease it to each homeowner. As with all its homes, it will steward the ongoing affordability of each home, making sure that the community’s investment in affordable housing remains in place. If/when one of these lucky initial buying families decides it is time to move on and sell their home, HCLT will facilitate the sale to a new low income household.

This partnership demonstrates the viability and benefit of adding a community land trust partner to housing projects developed by other organizations. CLTs add a layer of protection for the ongoing affordability of housing. The CLT is the organization that stewards the product of the community’s investment (the affordability) and makes sure that each home will serve many generations of low income homeowners.