Orcas Island, WA

OPAL Community Land Trust

Problem

Land and housing speculation prices out locals. Young families, workers, and longtime residents can't afford to stay or return. Wealth leaves the community.

Solution

OPAL (Of People And Land) Community Land Trust, incorporated May 1989 in Eastsound, Orcas Island, built its first neighborhood, Opal Commons (18 homes), with USDA Farmers Home financing secured in January 1993 and occupied in May 1995. Its portfolio grew from 103 ownership homes and 29 rentals (2017) to 110 ownership and 94 rentals (May 2022) to 120 ownership homes and 102 rentals, 222 households, by early 2026, under 99-year ground leases with a resale formula; San Juan County's voter-approved Home Fund has awarded OPAL projects $1.1 million (Northern Heights, 2022) and $1.34 million (Pea Patch, 2024 to 2025).

Patterns used: Community Land Trust

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