Kulshan View is a strategic investment in housing stability for families with school-aged children in Mount Vernon.

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 hardship often struggle to secure stable, affordable rental housing. When housing is unstable, students experience disruptions in attendance, academic performance, and connection to their school community.

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 View is a two-phase development totaling 48 affordable rental units.

Phase One will deliver 24 family-oriented apartments serving households earning between 30% and 60% of Area Median Income, with priority given to families experiencing or at risk of homelessness. A second 24-unit phase is planned to expand access to affordable housing in this neighborhood.

Community Action is working in 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, and Community Action will provide ongoing Resident Services Coordination to support long-term stability. Kulshan View reflects Community Action’s commitment to building permanent housing solutions that strengthen families, improve student outcomes, and invest in the long-term resilience of Skagit County.

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Phase I Project Overview

Kulshan View Apartments – Phase I will include 24 affordable, family-oriented rental units located north of La Venture Middle School. The site location allows children to remain connected to their school community while families stabilize in permanent housing.

Target Population
Phase I is designed to serve families experiencing or at risk of homelessness, including:

  • Households referred through the McKinney-Vento program
  • Low-income farmworker families
  • Families with disabilities
  • Households earning between 30% and 60% of Area Median Income (with priority for extremely low-income households)
Unit Configuration (24 Units)
The unit mix reflects the need for larger family-sized housing in Mount Vernon:
  • 10 one-bedroom units
  • 6 two-bedroom units
  • 8 three-bedroom units

Supporting Families Through Whole Family Approach

Kulshan View combines structured referral processes, comprehensive resident services, and a whole family approach to support stable housing and family well-being.

The Mount Vernon School District may refer families identified through its McKinney-Vento program. All households must meet income and program eligibility requirements, and final tenant selection is administered through Community Action’s housing policies and compliance standards.

Community Action owns and operates Kulshan View and is responsible for property management, leasing, regulatory compliance, and resident services.

Whole Family Approach
The mission of our Whole Family Approach (WFA) initiative is to put families at the center of developing their own goals and solutions, integrate their input into the service design, support the economic mobility of both parents and children, and ultimately break the cycle of generational poverty.

Whole Family Approach is not a program. It is an approach, mindset and method that ensures we’re serving families in the best way we can.

Resident Services Coordination
Families housed at Kulshan View will have access to onsite Resident Services Coordination. The Resident Services Coordinator works directly with households to identify goals, address barriers to stability, and connect families to community resources.
Services include:
  • Benefits enrollment and public assistance navigation
  • Employment and workforce referrals
  • Financial literacy and budgeting support
  • Connections to health and behavioral health services
  • School engagement and family support coordination

Development & Timeline

  • Design and Permitting: In progress through Spring 2026
  • Construction Start: Anticipated mid-2026, with an estimated 12-month construction period
  • Projected Occupancy: Summer 2027
  • Phase II Capital Development: Funding and predevelopment efforts anticipated 2027–2028
  • Phase II Construction: Anticipated 2029, aligned with capital availability

Community Impact

Kulshan View expands the supply of permanent, affordable family housing in Mount Vernon at a time of limited inventory and rising rental costs.

By increasing access to regulated affordable housing, the project reduces pressure on emergency shelter systems, overcrowded living situations, and short-term housing placements. It also strengthens the local housing continuum by creating long-term units designed specifically for families.

The development represents a significant public investment in community infrastructure, leveraging state and local funding to create durable housing assets that will remain affordable for decades.

Kulshan View contributes to a more stable, resilient Mount Vernon by increasing housing opportunity, strengthening neighborhood vitality, and supporting long-term economic participation for working families.

Project Funding

Total Costs for Phase 1: Approximately $10.3 million
Phase I construction financing is fully secured through a combination of state, federal, and local funding sources. Major capital investments include:

  • Washington State Housing Trust Fund
  • Federal Home Loan Bank Affordable Housing Program
  • City of Mount Vernon 1590 Affordable Housing Funds
  • Washington State Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program
  • State Capital Budget Appropriation
  • Local and Community Projects Direct Appropriation
  • Skagit County Economic Development Funding
Join Us in Creating Community
While Phase I construction financing is fully secured, community partners have an opportunity to help furnish and activate shared spaces that strengthen daily life for residents. Philanthropic support will help fund:
  • Tot Lot play area and safety surfacing
  • Community Room furnishings and gathering spaces
  • Outdoor seating and shade elements
  • Site furnishings and family-centered amenities
These elements are not always fully covered through traditional capital funding but are essential to creating a welcoming, family-oriented community environment. Service clubs, churches, and civic groups interested in supporting these enhancements may contact: Donations@CommunityActionSkagit.org.

 

How to Get Involved

  • If you are a landowner, developer or creative thinker who wants to brainstorm about how to create housing solutions, contact Michele Metcalf, Housing Project Director, HousingProjects@CommunityActionSkagit.org.