Why Housing?

Construction has begun on Kulshan Vista Village, marking an exciting milestone in our work to expand affordable housing in Skagit County.

In partnership with the Mount Vernon School District, the first phase will provide 24 affordable homes for families with school-aged children experiencing housing instability. Kulshan Vista Village represents an opportunity to create the stability families need to thrive.

In Skagit County, 54% of Renters are “rent burdened,” paying more than 30% of their income on rent.

One of the biggest missing pieces in our community is housing that people can afford.

Solve that, and so much else can begin to fall into place, for individuals, families, businesses, and our community as a whole.

A safe, stable, and affordable place to call home is essential to nearly every aspect of our lives. Housing creates a foundation for family stability, success in school, and reduced trauma. The ability to sustain employment, pursue new opportunities, improve our health and recover from hardship all depend, in part, on having a stable place to call home.

Our broader quality of life depends on housing, too. Where people can afford to live affects how far they travel to work, traffic on our roads, access to food and other necessities, the vibrancy of our communities, and even our ability to preserve valuable farmland and open spaces.

Our local economy depends on it as well. Businesses need employees, and employees need homes they can afford. When those two things become disconnected, employers struggle to recruit and retain workers, families face increasingly difficult choices, and our entire community feels the effects.

Between 2015 and 2024, the median home price in Skagit County grew from $281,000 to $579,900, an increase of more than 105%. During that same period, median annual household income grew from $68,200 to $102,800, an increase of about 51%.

Housing costs have grown at more than twice the rate of household incomes: Home prices +105% | Household income +51%

As Mount Vernon Mayor Peter Donovan explains, “Access to affordable housing is one of the most important challenges facing families in Mount Vernon and throughout Skagit County. When people can afford to live in the community where they work, it strengthens families, supports our schools and local businesses, and helps build a more stable and vibrant economy. No single organization or sector can solve the housing challenge alone—it takes local government, nonprofits, developers, businesses, schools, and community partners working together. Kulshan Vista Village is a great example of what that collaboration can accomplish by creating more homes that local families can afford.”

Addressing Skagit County’s housing needs requires a community approach. No organization or sector can solve the challenge alone.

Meaningful progress requires nonprofits, local government, schools, businesses, philanthropy, developers, and community members working toward shared solutions. It also requires a willingness to think differently about how affordable housing can be created.

Kulshan Vista Village puts those ideas into action. By bringing together housing, education, community partnerships, and Community Action’s broader network of services, we are working to create more than homes. We are creating a foundation from which families can build greater stability and opportunity.

As construction progresses, we’ll continue sharing updates on Kulshan Vista Village and how housing, partnership, and innovation can help build a stronger future for families throughout Skagit County.