The affordable housing crisis grows as real estate prices outpace the average salary incomes of our residents. We have an increasingly aging population, meaning that housing needs are changing and broadening. A complex problem, indeed.

Steve Buck correctly points out the work being done by the community land trusts (San Juan Community Home Trust, OPAL and Lopez Community Land Trust) in last week’s guest column. They are adding to the stock of permanently affordable homes and providing homeownership opportunities to those who can’t qualify for conventional loans, even if there were an adequate supply of modestly priced homes. As a former board member of the Community Home Trust, I can attest to the diligence to build attractive, safe neighborhoods for our low- and moderate-income islanders in a challenging fiscal environment. The financial subsidies to make, and keep, these homes affordable come mostly from donations from our friends and neighbors. Government sources have become increasingly difficult to compete for.

Yet home ownership is only part of our affordable housing needs. OPAL is building affordable rentals, and the Community Home Trust plans to do so too. Beyond the need for affordable rentals, as we are losing affordable apartment units to commercial conversion, there are needs for shelters, elder housing, special needs housing, etc. This is a community-wide problem and needs a community-wide approach to address it. The county is this community-wide organization and can act as an agent for planning and for collection and disbursement of funds to get the job done.

The San Juan County Council has taken a proactive approach to addressing the housing crisis. Working with the San Juan County Housing Advisory Committee, this fund can be a multiplier to attract new partners and projects. It could be used to provide investments and incentives to develop new public and private partnerships for affordable housing projects. In an increasingly “matching funds” environment, the home fund would allow local organizations to be more competitive for available funds at the state, federal and institutional levels.

The county council and housing bank commission have stepped up to the leadership challenge. We must get the financial resources. Vote yes for homes.

Glen Bruels

Friday Harbor