We organize landowners, donors, and affinity groups together to create communities. Neighborhood shared spaces are in the works. They will host meetings and model housing options in different price ranges. We are seeking rule variances to try experimental zoning, natural building, and composting methods. State legislation (HB-1220) was passed that requires our county to ensure adequate housing is available for every income level, including transitional and emergency housing. Some islanders are actively fighting against low and no-income housing because they think it will be unsightly and disturb ecosystems, but we hope to find solutions that will balance the needs of people and the environment.
Dwellings would have a unified theme determined by the neighborhood, and meet a set of loose aesthetic requirements created by the residents and Village Builders (consultants and contractors). Each village would have a stewardship plan to leave the land more alive or functional than when they found it. Everyone owns or is paying rent towards their own house, so if there is a social dispute that cannot be solved, or a change in interest, individuals can apply to live in a different village or move their dwelling onto private land. Aside from land divisions and co-ops with more personalized structures, there will also be villages. The setup is simple: every plot has power, water, an incinerator, bio gas, or composting toilet (to create “humanure” to amend forest soil and fertilize fruit trees) and access to a large kitchen/bath house, gardens, nature, and workspaces. Some of the villages will have their own transportation plans and the option to go vehicle-less.
No income: There are many skilled and self motivated individuals who just don’t conform well to a typical job. Disabilities, sensitivities, neurodiversity, long-covid, and trauma cause nervous system burn out that requires constant self-regulation. It is hard to find a job that can work with a tired body's schedule. Some types are just more cut out for a barter society where they can receive and give care to others, create resources, teach skills, or maintain a system in a self paced way. These people can make great on-site staff while work-trading for housing. The stability, as well as access to tools, materials, and education, provides opportunities to make an income, transition out of a work trade, and jump into a more serious passion.
Who would these first villages most serve?
Low income: This is the most widespread demographic and includes workers in the service industry, long term locals, and their families. Usually, a classic trailer park would be established, but in order to preserve Orcas’s rustic appeal in some places, tiny house villages (comprising of premade and moveable units) could be built as well. The monthly cost of the plot would include utilities, a variable percentage cut of their taxable income for maintenance and property taxes, and an added rent-to-own fee if the person is financing their tiny home. People could apply as a group, or as individuals depending on the location.
Retirees and Students: It’s beneficial for older folks looking to downsize to live around young people who are trying to make something for themselves. We found in our survey that many retired folks want to teach something and feel a continued sense of social purpose. Villages with communal spaces are perfect places for natural mentorship, continuing education, and childcare.
Seasonal Workers would get camping platforms, electric hook ups, shared kitchens, bathrooms, and a vehicle lot that would be shared with a larger village. Bell tents, canvas tents, and yurts would be taken down at the end of season or used as emergency housing.
Selling to a group using this plan eliminates the possibility of the parcel becoming a vacant wintertime home, or vacation rental. It provides housing security by ensuring participants own what they put in, and can buy out at any time.
Once a group has filled out an application, we can direct them towards land and submit a proposal to our donors. Before money is ever taken out of the fund, applicants would have worked with our village builders to create an approved building and site plan, cost analysis, decision making model, aesthetic theme, stewardship plan, and payment schedule. Supporters can direct their funds to groups that they trust through a network of pre-established community connections, or select a plan that aligns with their philanthropic mission. There would be full transparency throughout this process and we would have regular meetings between all participants. If someone could no longer pay their agreed upon amount, we would have a meeting to discuss an alternate payment plan, and then if that plan is not followed through upon, the missed amount would be taken from the money they already contributed, and then they would be bought out by another person. The community who lives there would have the option to cover the cost of the person who cannot pay, or approve the applicant that replaces them when they leave.
If needed, the Center for Creative Repair could help organize groups through events, affinity spaces, online forums, and over the phone, but as of right now, there are many groups already looking for a place to be.
Accommodation upgrade micro-loans:
We have some people in our community who, if they had a small loan (1-20k), could immediately upgrade their living situation into something more comfortable for the wintertime. For some people, it's getting out of a trailer into a more insulated tiny house, and for others it's buying a water filter or making improvements to the longevity of their current situation. We need small loans for people with unconventional needs that cannot be financed because of credit or interest rates.
Legally binding land co-op financing structures
The Village Fund is a pool of money that would be collected from local housing non-profits, fundraisers, environmentalists, behavioral health grants, government low income housing programs, and private donors. Once people are matched with appropriate spaces, this fund would low-interest finance the purchase of underutilized land, and/or the building of homes and shared amenities.
After pre-established island groups are taken care of, we would form villages based upon their enthusiasm and experience with specific projects we can get funding for, as well as anything under the umbrella of “creating spaces that increase biodiversity while also providing spaces for people to live”. A lot of essential workers and trades have been lost to gentrification over the last few years, so as well as preserving the skills we have here now, we would consider bringing in dedicated people who fill roles that could not otherwise be filled. For example, if an environmental agency wanted to fund a tiny house village for scientists to move to the island to study ecosystem damage and implement regenerative technologies, we would use our loan structure and network of resources to help them do that. Same with a desperately needed hospice worker, or school teacher. We also want to be forthcoming in our efforts to direct land use back to indigenous stewards if we establish the right connections.
A sensory accommodation for this loan structure would be a year long no-payment period where people can settle in, find where they belong in the community, save money, and go though the phases of acclimation from burn out.
Building Options
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Fiberglass Domes
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Aircrete Sculpting
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SIPS Panels
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TIny Homes
