Letters to the Editor

Affordable housing crisis

The Upper Valley is a vibrant area comprised of several wonderful communities. Our area will continue to thrive by attracting a diverse and rich set of citizens who can contribute to all aspects of our mountain town culture. As a thriving community, we must grow and change. However, this growth should be managed and directed in the best interest of the town as a whole.

We are Judy and Tom Derpack. We moved to the area eleven years ago to be closer to our grandkids and extended family. We searched for five months before finding an affordable rental. We are grateful for our rental, as we absolutely love living here. Unfortunately, like many families, it is not within our financial means to buy or build a house. We feel that the top issue threatening the continued success and ongoing growth of the area is the ability to affordably house all members of our community.

This issue is particularly threatening to our workforce, made up of our teachers, service personnel, retail/ business workers, and even our healthcare workers. Without housing for these workers, our community cannot continue to be the vibrant environment we all love. As retired teachers, we are especially concerned about housing for new Cascade School District staff. Further, if the area doesn’t have housing for younger families with children, these families will reside elsewhere. Additionally, we have had many anecdotal stories/conversations with college students and ‘twenty-somethings’ who admit that their greatest stressor for the future is finding affordable housing in the valley where they grew up or have grown to love—a regional survey conducted by the Housing Solutions Group in 2022 lists these challenges for the region.

*The lack of inventory, plus high home prices and high borrowing costs, make it difficult for many people to buy a home in the region.

*Three of four NCW counties still experiencing home price gains, while three of four counties are seeing homes remain on the market longer, according to the NAR‘s database of MLS-listed for-sale homes.

* New apartments are being rented at market rate. The multifamily vacancy rate is 2.8%, according to Pacific Appraisal.

* Rental assistance funds, made available during the pandemic, have dried up. The Housing Authority says there has been a surge of people needing housing, with seniors the most in need.

* State directive: 17,000 new homes in Chelan/Douglas Counties over the next 20 years, including 55% for low-income households We are encouraged by new solutions brought forth by the renowned nonprofit MEND, the mayor and city employees and council, and local businesses. We are also extremely encouraged by the organization “Our Valley Our Future.”

Here are the solutions/recommendations from the Housing Solutions group.

* Housing Trusts

* Building more infrastructure

* Diverse Housing

* multi-family tax exemptions

* Transit-oriented Development

* Walkable communities

* Design Templates

* Trades program

* Surplus land for housing

* Government-sponsored tools

* Collaborative workshops with all Upper Valley local government, so jurisdictions can better align codes and vision.

For more information, check out OurValleyOurfuture.org/housing–our-Valley/ In the past, we have weathered extremely hard economic times by working together, with a can-do spirit. We can do it again! Presently, There are viable solutions. In the future, we will thrive!

Tom Derpack, OVOF member

Judy Derpack, CSD school board director # 2