To strive for excellence in all we do
To move people to permanent self-sufficiency
We will fulfill our commitment to the community by acting as advocates and guardians for people in need as we help them move to permanent self-reliance; by ensuring that we, ourselves, are self-reliant and efficient in our use of taxpayer and donor dollars; and by implementing our Mission in a way that reflects the community’s values.
We will fulfill our commitment to those who utilize our programs by providing realistic and useful tools to change their lives permanently; by delivering skilled, professional, efficient, experienced, consistent and compassionate service; and by ensuring our hope for and belief in them and their potential is reflected in our actions and words.
Our Focus in 2009
Affordable Housing & Self-Sufficiency
Hardworking people should be able to afford decent housing and still have enough money for groceries, medical care and other basic necessities but many in our community struggle to provide stable housing for themselves and their families due to increased housing, energy, and living costs. In addition, seniors on fixed incomes struggle daily with choices between housing, heat, food, medication, and transportation.
The Washington Center for Real Estate Research reports that the median house price in Kittitas County in 2007 was $255,000. In order to afford to purchase that median priced house, a family would need to earn approximately $75,000, have decent credit, owe less than $22,000 on all other debt, and be able to put down 10% of the purchase price.
When an individual or family cannot afford to buy a house, they rent or lease. The pinch is not much better here. The rental availability rate is consistently at less than two percent (2%) year round. When a rental is obtained, market-rate rent ranges from $500 for a one bedroom to $900 for a three bedroom.
Throughout Washington State, there are many efforts underway to increase home ownership, develop new affordable homes, and create housing options. HopeSource is making a difference in Kittitas County as we focus on first preserving the current and existing affordable housing stock, and then beginning the process of building partnerships that will allow us to increase the affordable housing stock by building new multi-family complexes.
HopeSource currently owns an affordable housing complex in Cle Elum that was constructed in 2002. It consists of 26 one, two and three bedroom units which are exceptionally attractive in design. In the Fall of 2007 landscaping was upgraded so that Westview Villa now looks just like its pricey neighbors. This is not a low-income or subsidized housing complex, rather it targets working families that need a slight edge as they put away money for their first home purchase.
In 2009, HopeSource will assume ownership of three more existing housing complexes, one in Roslyn and two in Ellensburg as part of a tax credit partnership with Shelter Resources Inc. of Bellevue, WA. There are a total of 97 units among the three complexes and all 97 of the units will be renovated and refurbished over the next twelve months. Current tenants will be relocated briefly as their apartment is renovated and then moved back in to a brand new ‘home’ with all the latest amenities. These three complexes are primarily senior residents and working families. These complexes are not low-income or subsidized housing either. They do offer rents that are below the prevailing market, however, in order to give seniors a decent place to live and working families a way to put away money for future home ownership.
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