Common Roots Land Trust to provide affordable homeownership in Waitsburg and Walla Walla

WALLA WALLA & WAITSBURG - Common Roots Housing Trust has begun work on Fern Avenue Cottage Homes, the trust's inaugural project in Walla Walla. The seven-home plan is projected to be occupied by the end of 2026 or early 2027.

Looking forward, CRHT Board Member Joy Smith said that the work on the Fern Avenue project is giving the trust valuable on-the-job experience to bring to the Waitsburg endeavor. In 2025, the land trust purchased two parcels across from the corner of E. 2nd and Garden Ave.

Work on the Waitsburg project will most likely start in 2027. Smith said there are many things to sort out, including lot size requirements, before the final plans and building can begin.

As the region's first community land trust, CRHT works to create permanently affordable homes that will remain accessible for generations to come. Community land trusts are nonprofit organizations that own property, leasing the land to an income-qualified resident who buys or builds a home. The homeowner builds equity through mortgage payments.

When the homeowner sells the house, the CLT retains the right of first refusal and resells the home to another qualified buyer. The home remains affordable throughout the CLT's land ownership.

Through this model, Common Roots will be able to sell homes on their land for approximately $200,000, with an estimated monthly mortgage of around $1,000, making homeownership possible for more local families.

"Homeownership is out of reach for too many families in our region," said Kathryn Witherington, Executive Director of Common Roots Housing Trust.

Visit http://www.commonrootshousing.org to learn how the Community Land Trust model works, and how it can open the door to homeownership for more people in our communities."