Nov 03 2004
Senior Housing to Become a Lopez Reality

By Amanda Leidig
Nearly three years ago a small group got together and started talking about housing issues on Lopez and possible solutions. After about a year of talking, the group formed the Lopez Housing Options (LOHO) steering committee with a mission of addressing housing needs not already covered by the Lopez Community Land Trust. In May 2004 a board was formed and LOHO received its 501-C3, or non-profit tax exempt status.

LOHO's mission is to provide solutions to current housing needs on Lopez. The first need it has chosen to tackle is senior housing. Over the years there has been concern within the community about Lopez?s lack of a senior housing facility. Residents felt a deep sadness when seniors who had lived on the island their entire life were forced to relocate off-island because of the lack of a care facility.

Now, with more than 25 community members providing support, 12 board members and four active committees, LOHO has been busy securing funding, building sites, and preparing for future construction.

LOHO has received conformation that it is being awarded a Coming Home Loan by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Funds up to $100,000 will be available for pre-development needs such as site work, civil engineering, prep work, and architecture.

LOHO has also been recommended by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) for the Community Trade and Economical Development (CTED) grant. If approved, the grant would award $500,000 to $600,000 to the project.

LOHO has decided to purchase property in Lopez Village, near Lopez Island Pharmacy and across the street from Lopez Center for Community and the Arts. Although LOHO had options on a different piece of property, it chose the present piece because it will be within the Urban Growth Area (UGA), while the other piece may lie outside of the area. By choosing the piece within the UGA, LOHO can begin work now rather than having to wait for the UGA to be sorted out by the BOCC.

The total price tag on the senior housing project is estimated to be $3,000,000. ?That?s a large project for Lopez,? said board member Rip Van Camp. "This is a complex project because of its size, multiple funding sources, and licensing."

When completed LOHO will be able to house anywhere from 20 to 24 seniors in both independent and dependent care facilities. The LOHO development will also bring jobs to the island. Tytti Langford, board member and chair of the Adult Family Committee, estimates the senior care facility will bring five to six full-time equivalent jobs to Lopez.

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