Community Action and Mount Vernon School District Break Ground on Kulshan Vista Village

MOUNT VERNON, Wash. -May 29, 2026 – Community Action of Skagit County hosted a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday, May 28, to celebrate the groundbreaking of Kulshan Vista Village Phase I. This first phase of this project, a partnership between Community Action and the Mount Vernon School District, will create 24 (of an eventual 48) apartment units of affordable housing for local families with school-aged children experiencing housing insecurity.

In Skagit County, housing instability remains one of the most significant barriers to educational success and long-term economic mobility. Families earning low wages, farmworker households, and those facing unexpected hardships often struggle to secure stable, affordable rental housing. When housing is unstable, students frequently experience disruptions in school attendance, and long-lasting challenges to their academic performance and connections to their school community.

The need is substantial. There are currently 325 students on Mount Vernon School District’s “McKinney Vento” list, which reflects of the students experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity (for instance, needing to “couch surf”), while 65% (4,126 of 6,293) of the district’s students are considered low income.

“Stable housing is foundational to student success,” says Bill Henkel, Community Action’s Executive Director. “When families have a safe, permanent place to call home, children come to school ready to learn. Kulshan Vista Village is exactly the kind of community investment that makes a lasting difference for students and families in our community.”

About the Project
In 2022, Community Action of Skagit County acquired a 1.5-acre parcel adjacent to La Venture Middle School and near Skagit Valley College with a clear purpose: to create permanent, affordable housing for families who need it most.

Kulshan Vista Village is a planned two-phase development that will ultimately feature 48 affordable rental units:

  • Phase One: Will deliver 24 family-oriented apartments serving households earning between 30% and 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Priority will be given to families currently experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
  • Phase Two: A second 24-unit phase is planned to further expand access to affordable housing on this parcel.

Capital fundraising is complete on phase one of this project. Construction is expected to begin as soon as final permitting is completed later this summer, with the goal of starting to house students experiencing homelessness and their families by fall of 2027.

A Strategic Partnership for Student Success
Community Action is working in close coordination with the Mount Vernon School District to support families experiencing housing instability. The District will assist in identifying eligible households through the McKinney-Vento program referral process, ensuring that the housing reaches families in acute need. Once housed, Community Action will provide ongoing Resident Services Coordination to support the families’ long-term stability and success.

Learn More

To find out more about the project, view development timelines, or learn how to support this initiative, please visit www.CommunityActionSkagit.org/kulshan-view.

For media inquiries, interviews, or additional questions, please contact Michele Metcalf at HousingProjects@CommunityActionSkagit.org.