In partnership with the City of Bellingham, the Opportunity Council has purchased a 2.7-acre property near Bellis Fair mall for an affordable housing and childcare center development. The property purchase closed on June 20, 2024, and construction is expected to start in October 2024.
The development will be built and operated by the Opportunity Council. Located at the corner of Eliza Avenue and Bellis Fair Parkway, it will include affordable housing units, a childcare center, and bike and pedestrian access to the site.
“The needs for abundant childcare and affordable housing in our community far surpass what is available, and these needs connect directly to many of our most pressing challenges,” Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund said. “The City is working in earnest with partner agencies, like the Opportunity Council, to increase access to both. This project is another important step forward toward expanding permanently affordable housing and childcare options in our community.”
“Projects like this require strong partnerships at the federal, state and local level and I want to recognize the vital work of the Opportunity Council and other partners who are contributing to the project’s funding. I also want to thank Bellis Fair’s owner, Felix Reznick, who worked collaboratively with us for over a year to help acquire the property,” Mayor Lund said.
When complete, the development will include 120-130 permanently affordable rental units, mostly serving households whose incomes range from $25,000 to $60,000 per year. The first portion to be constructed will include a large childcare center, with space for approximately 100 children, and housing units for families with children. While the first phase focuses on families, the second phase will support seniors. Construction of the second phase is expected to begin in late 2025.
“The City of Bellingham has been an amazing partner on this important project,” said Greg Winter, Executive Director of Opportunity Council. “And we want to extend our gratitude to the many other partners helping us bring this project together.”
Project involves many partners
The project has an estimated total cost of $60 million, funded by a variety of partners. The Opportunity Council is investing approximately $34 million dollars in the first phase. The City is investing $8.7 million to support acquisition and development of the project, including part of the $3.1 million cost to purchase the property. The City’s portion of the funds will come from American Rescue Plan Act funding, the federal HOME Investment Partnership Program, the state Commerce Connecting Housing to Infrastructure program, and local affordable housing levy and sales tax dollars.
In addition to the City of Bellingham and Opportunity Council, project funders include a Congressional allocation supported by Senator Patty Murray, Whatcom County, Washington State Department of Commerce, Washington State Housing Finance Commission, Washington Community Reinvestment Association, and generous individual community donors contributing to Opportunity Council’s Housing Programs.
Project supports community housing priorities
“Bellingham, like many communities in the country, is experiencing a dramatic increase in our cost of living,” said Tara Sundin, the City’s Community and Economic Development Manager. “In Bellingham, 58 percent of renters are considered cost burdened, which means they are using more than 30 percent of their income to pay for their housing. At the same time, we are short several thousand childcare spaces county wide, creating workforce barriers.”
Bellingham voters authorized the HOME levy first in 2012 and again in 2018 for the creation and preservation of affordable housing. The Bellingham City Council approved a sales tax increase in 2021 to do the same, and dedicated most of the City’s American Rescue Plan Act funds to affordable housing and childcare needs.
“Without local support and strong partnerships, projects like this new development would not be possible,” Sundin said.
