Local leaders tour Home Trust of Skagit sites

State and Skagit County leaders toured Home Trust of Skagit properties last week with Home Trust staff and board members.

Home Trust is a nonprofit that provides permanent, affordable homeownership by owning the land and leasing it to low-income buyers, who purchase homes at below-market rates and agree to a resale formula that keeps homes affordable for future buyers.

Eligibility to purchase these homes is limited to people with an annual household income that does not exceed 80% of the area median income - about $67,000 for a one-person household in the county, according to 2026 data from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Homeowners must meet the threshold when they purchase the home, but are allowed to exceed the threshold after buying the home.

Invitations to the July 1 tour were extended to every mayor in Skagit County. The invitation stated the experience will allow visitors to "walk the future of homeownership in Skagit County."

Wednesday's tour began at Summerlynd Lane in Mount Vernon, a cul-de-sac neighborhood west of the Skagit County Fairgrounds.

The neighborhood has 11 one- and two-story homes, each painted a different color. Seven homes were built by Skagit Habitat for Humanity volunteers, and four by BYK Construction at cost and funded by the Home Trust.

Summerlynd Lane welcomed residents in 2019. Home Trust Executive Director Felicia Minto said there has been no turnover, though two residents say they will probably move in the next five years.

Summerlynd Lane does not have Homeowners Association fees, however, there is a monthly fee that goes toward protection of the properties.

For example, Minto said that if someone moved into a home with a roofing issue caused by the previous occupant, funds to fix the roof would come from the trust account, not the new occupant.

The second stop on the tour was the Channel Cove development in south La Conner, which La Conner Mayor Marna Hanneman said is "night and day" different from the Mount Vernon development.

It is on a wooded property, with homes arranged in an oval around a central courtyard. These homes differ from one another but share a similar wooden aesthetic.

The courtyard has picnic tables, a playground and walking paths lined with trees.

Channel Cove has 27 units occupied by a mix of homeowners and renters. Renters cannot exceed 50% of the area median income - about $42,000 for one-person households.

Five of the units are operated under a state Department of Commerce contract.

There are no HOA fees, but occupants pay Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions fees to maintain shared amenities and common areas.

Channel Cove's first phase of construction was completed in 1999, and the last phase in 2022. Ownership of the development changed hands several times before finally ending up with the Home Trust in 2009.

Minto said Channel Cove is undergoing a rental turnover, though the development has historically had very little turnover.

Both developments receive landscaping services from Skagit Landscaping, which is paid for by the Home Trust.

In addition to the two neighborhood developments, Home Trust also owns some single homes in the county.

Throughout the tour, attendees spoke about what makes Home Trust's model work.

Home Trust Board of Trustees President Jennifer Martin, who owns a home at Channel Cove, attributes the development's success to consistent Home Trust management and a staff commitment not to show favoritism toward any resident.

For more information about Home Trust, visit htskagit.org.

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