Housing Lopez

We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to building affordable rental housing on Lopez Island, WA.

05/22/2026

Research consistently shows that stable, affordable housing produces ripple effects that reach far beyond just having a roof overhead. Noting improvements in physical health, mental wellbeing, children's educational outcomes, financial stability, and even reduced emergency healthcare use, it turns out that when people aren't busy trying to survive, the body and mind finally have space to heal.

05/07/2026

This is what community looks like.

Village North Phase 1 is complete and it exists because people across Lopez came together to support affordable housing for our neighbors.

From planning to funding to building, this was a shared effort every step of the way.

We’re proud to share this view and grateful to everyone who made it possible.

Drone footage by Jeff Wolff Photography

04/17/2026

If you’re on our email list, you’ve already received a glimpse of what’s ahead…

We’re proud to share that Housing Lopez has been awarded a $50,000 grant to support feasibility planning for Phase 2 of Village North. This is an important step forward in expanding access to affordable housing on Lopez.

This is just the beginning.

Learn more: https://housinglopez.org/an-exciting-announcement/

03/26/2026

If you receive our monthly emails straight to your inbox then you already know the good news! Important things are happening behind the scenes here at Housing Lopez! Click on the link below to learn more: https://housinglopez.org/behind-the-scenes/

03/20/2026

Just in case you missed it, David’s BBQ, (right outside our offices!), has reopened and we couldn’t be more grateful! They’re currently serving up their deliciousness Thursdays and Fridays from 11–3pm.

It’s a simple thing, but it’s also what community looks like, neighbors showing up for neighbors, small businesses opening their doors, and all of us supporting one another in the everyday moments. If you’re nearby, stop in, say hello, and help give them a warm Lopez welcome back.

02/13/2026

At Housing Lopez, we believe strong homes require strong stewardship. Affordable housing isn’t just about buildings, it’s about the people who bring experience, care, and long-term commitment to this island we all call home.

We’re grateful for the leadership of three board members who share a common belief: Lopez must remain a place where local workers, elders, and families can live with stability and dignity.

Angie Lausch, our new Board Chair, brings 35+ years of property management experience and a deep understanding of affordable housing across the Northwest.

Bill Johnson, our new Treasurer, pairs real estate and project management expertise with a personal belief that belonging on Lopez should be protected, not rare.

Steve Adams, our new Vice Chair, has lived on Lopez since 1980 and brings decades of community service and firsthand perspective on what it takes to keep working families here.

Together, they strengthen not only our projects, but also our ability to steward homes for the long term.

Because at the end of the day, this work is about ensuring Lopez remains a place where people can put down roots and stay.

02/02/2026

It's Myth Buster Monday Friends!

Here's a myth we've heard circulating for years: "𝐴𝑓𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑦 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠."

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: It's simply not true.

When affordable housing is thoughtfully built and well cared for, the opposite is usually true.
Across the country, study after study has found that affordable housing either has no negative impact—or a slightly positive one—on nearby property values. The National Association of Realtors has shown that well-designed affordable housing can even increase surrounding home values. A long-term, 20-year study by the Urban Institute found the same.

But the benefits don’t stop at property lines.

Research from Stanford Business School shows that an affordable housing development can bring significant economic value to a community, including stronger local businesses, higher consumer spending, increased tax revenue, and new jobs.

On the ground, this often looks like what many of us value most on Lopez:
*More local workers living here year-round.
*Businesses that can stay open and staffed.
*Healthcare services, restaurants, and shops that can actually survive and grow.

In short, stable housing tends to create stability everywhere around it.

At Housing Lopez, this aligns with what we believe and what we see every day. Permanent, well-managed homes don’t disrupt a community, they help it function. They allow people to put down roots, look out for one another, and participate fully in island life.
Affordable housing isn’t a risk to the “Lopez way.”
It’s one of the ways we protect it.

Got more myths for us to bust? Post them in the comments.

01/27/2026

𝐌𝐘𝐓𝐇!
The truth is, affordable housing is an investment in local economic health.

When people can afford to live where they work, the entire community benefits.

On Lopez, stable, long-term housing allows service workers, healthcare staff, tradespeople, and small business employees to stay rooted on the island, reducing turnover and strengthening our local economy.

Affordable housing supports economic activity, not only on Lopez but beyond. Residents spend their money locally, businesses are better able to hire and retain staff, and essential services can operate more consistently. Construction and ongoing property management also create local jobs, further circulating dollars within our community.

Most importantly, affordable housing creates stability. And stability is what allows small businesses to grow, entrepreneurs to take risks, and communities to thrive.

At Housing Lopez, we don’t see affordable housing as a short-term fix. We see it as long-term infrastructure. One that supports economic resilience, local livelihoods, and the future of island life.

Have you heard other myths about affordable housing you’d like us to bust? Drop them in the comments.

01/22/2026

We want to take a moment to honor the Van Camp family for their extraordinary generosity and lasting impact on Lopez Island.

Their vision and support helped create spaces rooted in art, connection, home, and care, places where people can gather, belong, and build community. Affordable housing is never just about walls and roofs; it’s about neighbors looking out for one another and creating stability that ripples outward for generations.

This plaque is a small gesture of gratitude for a contribution that is anything BUT small. The Van Camp family’s legacy lives on in every story shared, every gathering held, and every family supported by these spaces.

Thank you for believing in a Lopez where everyone deserves a home they can afford and a community they can count on.

01/20/2026

Over the past few years, we’ve heard this question from several of our neighbors: “If I get a raise while living in affordable housing, will I have to move out?”

The short answer is no.

Affordable rental homes are income-qualified at move-in. After that, residents typically complete annual income recertifications. If your income increases, it may affect your rent over time—but you are not required to move just because you received a raise or promotion.

In fact, affordable housing programs are designed to support stability, not punish progress. The goal is to allow people to grow both professionally and financially—without the fear of displacement.

At Housing Lopez, we believe housing should be a foundation for opportunity, not something you risk losing the moment life improves.

Because stable housing makes stronger workers, families, and communities.

Have you heard other housing myths you’d like us to bust? Share them in the comments!

Address

Lopez Island, WA
98261

Website

http://housinglopez.org/

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