Generations Place celebrated completion of its innovative workforce housing complex in Langley with a ribbon-cutting ceremony June 9th. Cold, overcast and blustery that afternoon, the weather gods held off raining until the speeches finished about 5 PM.
The event honored all who helped bring the attractive and spacious 14-unit multifamily building to its completion. Planning, design and construction on the project reflect the success of collaborations spearheaded by Island Roots.
“For Island Roots Housing, this ribbon cutting marks more than a construction milestone. It marks the moment Generations Place begins fulfilling the purpose it was built for — welcoming people home,” said Rose Hughes, Managing Director of Island Roots Housing in a recent press release.
This is the first of Island Roots’ projects, and an estimated two hundred or so attended the event.
“It took a literal village to make Generations Place a reality,” said Chris Hurley, board president of Island Roots Housing at the event. “This is our first project, and we needed a lot of help, and we got it. We built it to look like Langley. Dreamers, schemers and doers—that’s our brand. We needed a lot of friends and partners to build Generations Place.”
Generations Place, according to its website, “is located at 2nd Street and DeBruyn Avenue…will offer 14 two- and three-bedroom affordable rental apartments across three two-story buildings. These homes will serve households earning up to 60% and up to 80% of the median income, including educators, office managers, construction workers, social service providers, and retail workers—strengthening every part of our local economy.”
A “Nan Days” work party took place June 5th to spruce up Generations Place. Nan is Nancy Nordhoff, a generous benefactor who passed away last January. Her largesse resulted in the support of more than 35 non-profits, including Island Roots Housing. “Nan Days,” are a community volunteer effort to carry on Nordhoff’s ethos of support for local nonprofits through quarterly work parties.
“Nan and Lynn (Hayes, Nordhoff’s spouse) were the first investors,” said Hurley. “They donated half of the down payment on the land for Generations Place in 2022. For the project itself, we raised $4.36 million from government sources. $2.8 million was raised from private donors. This support keeps the mortgage low, which enables us to keep the rents low.”
Hayes was one of the speakers at the Generations Place open house: “What tugs us when we feel the urge to help is to give when we have the capacity,” said Hayes. “When Nancy and I were asked (about helping fund Island Roots Housing), we grinned and said yes yes yes. The network stretches and grows and our island culture strengthens. Nancy recognized fundraising strategies and solving problems. It was her sport. No wonder she was sought out over a cup, a glass, a meal. The joy of asking was Nancy’s last curiosity. She wanted to demystify it, distill it. An unexpected donor said, if YOU’RE involved, so am I. Might housing grow on the island as eccentric and creative as the locals.”
Melissa Koch was selected as Generation Place’s art project manager. As an architect/artist whose work is seen around Langley and beyond, she also worked with the project’s architect—Seattle based Environmental Works Community Design Center—on various design elements. She also recommended a couple of local artists.
“I helped them identify local Whidbey Island artists to select—Sara Owens and Jonathan Stich,” said Koch. “They were both commissioned by Island Roots Housing to design the arbors and fencing. I designed privacy screens with nature themes located along alley that will be installed later.”
On June 8th artist Sara Owens affixed the Generations Place name plate atop her metal sculpture framing the complex’s 2nd Street entrance.
Koch said she’s also working on the “Generations Community Tree” within the complex which comprises about 250 metal leaves and winding vines acknowledging each contributor.
Breaking ground last autumn, Generations Place is coming in at budget and was completed largely on time, despite a delayed start. The synergy of the project’s success is due to the collected work of Island Root Housing’s staff, its board, its architect—Seattle-based Environmental Works Community Design Center, contractor GenCap Construction Corp. of Kirkland, federal and state agencies, and the support of more than 500 local individual donors, businesses and foundations, which funded about 37% of the project’s cost of nearly $8 million.
The public funding, Island Roots’ website notes, comes from these resources: “Contributions from Island County, The Tri-County HUD HOME Consortium, the state Dept. of Commerce, and dedicated funding secured by our 10th District state legislators are driving this effort forward.”
“GenCap Construction has been our development partner from the beginning, and it is because of their incredible team that we were able to accomplish the project on time, on budget and within eight months,” said Hurley. “We cannot express how valuable their partnership has been as well as that of all the subcontractors who brought their expertise and skill to this project.”
“It takes vision and a very practical understanding of what’s happening to have a true impact,” added Hughes. “This extends to our contractors. We will miss them. We are a team. All have acted as if we are building our own homes. I never imagined it would be so collaborative on every level: funding, community support, design, construction. This gives me hope for the world.”
Hughes’ press release notes: “Generations Place was designed with long-term stewardship in mind, integrating sustainability and resident wellbeing throughout the project. Features include energy- efficient heat pumps, low-flow plumbing, solar energy offsets, heat recovery ventilation systems that support indoor air quality, durable long-life materials, and thoughtful water conservation measures.”
Island Roots began originally as the Goosefoot Housing Group in 2022 through a group of volunteers committed to generating long-term solutions to address the shortage of affordable homes for working people. The following year, Island Roots Housing was formed as its own entity.
“It became clear that meaningful progress required a dedicated organization focused solely on affordable housing,” notes the Island Roots Housing website. “Goosefoot remains a close partner and fiscal sponsor, supporting our shared vision.”
The Goosefoot Community Fund was created in 1999, inspired and fueled by Nancy Nordhoff’s philanthropy, and collaboration with her friend Linda Moore. Their goal was supporting the local economy, preserving historic buildings like the Bayview Cash Store, and later renovating a former Red Apple grocery store into the Goose Community Grocer in 2005. Shoppers at the Goose round up their purchases to the next dollar. Proceeds help fund non-profits such as Island Roots Housing.
Generations Place apartments are available to applicants comprising at least two people for the two-bedroom, and at least three for the three-bedroom apartments. Move in is expected by August. Applicant screening and the property’s ongoing maintenance will be managed through Ad-West Realty Services, a property management firm based in Bellevue, but already operating many apartments on Whidbey Island. Its website notes the company is: “a leader in affordable housing management and compliance.”
Hughes said fingers crossed that the application process is open soon. Getting the green light from the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development—or HUD—took some time.
“I hope we can accept applications by the end of this week or next week,” said Hughes. “We had to get approval of everything from our HUD administrator. The federal administration’s rent numbers and income limit numbers were not received until recently. We’re really happy to be working with Ad-West. Once they determine general eligibility, they will work with each applicant to figure which of the apartments they would qualify for.”
Hughes applauded Island Roots Housing Program Manager Christine Kehoe, who “…has been working with Ad-West for a year putting together policies making sure we’re compliant. Throughout, Island Roots’ program committee has ensured the process is focused on the dignity and privacy of our future residents.”
Family-sized housing for local workers represents a growing need, but one that is not usually funded with federal monies,” said Hurley.
“When you consider more than 10 percent of local families in the South Whidbey School District area do not have stable housing, and more than 50% of renters are cost-burdened, that’s a place to start. You strengthen a community by creating housing for all members of that community.”
Meanwhile, now that word has spread that Island Roots walks its talk, creates community and delivers a quality project, the community has come forward to offer more projects.
“A supporter of Island Roots enabled us to acquire the duplex next door,” said Hurley. “This adds a 15th unit to Generations Place, a leasing office, and the ability to open up that backyard, for open space for Generations Place kids to play in, as well as the playground across the street.”
Island Roots has five properties now, including two other property gifts, and a purchase in Coupeville. The Town of Coupeville approached Island Roots regarding meeting its growing need for housing, and a significant property was secured in May, as previously reported in the Whidbey News-Times. Island Roots is committed to engaging the community similarly, to create a plan that is designed to blend in with Coupeville’s historic and rural character, while addressing Central Whidbey’s growing need for housing affordability.
To learn more visit islandrootshousing.org.