Whatcom County helps Habitat for Humanity purchase Kulshan CLT land for 40-home project
Whatcom County is helping Habitat for Humanity purchase a piece of land to build 40 homes for low-income residents in the King Mountain neighborhood.
County Council members on Tuesday unanimously approved $700,000 in grants and loans so that the nonprofit housing organization can acquire 2.5 acres of land from Kulshan Community Land Trust, another nonprofit housing provider.
The site is at 1050 Telegraph Road, east of Bellis Fair mall, in a fast-growing part of north Bellingham.
In a memo to the council, Deputy Executive Kayla Schott-Bresler said the deal was a approved by the Economic Development Investment Board.
“This land acquisition will allow Habitat to build 40 or more homes in Bellingham that low-income clients can afford to purchase. This is a unique opportunity to develop affordable housing and address the housing issue in Whatcom County,” Schott-Bresler said.
Action taken Tuesday includes a $231,000 grant and a $469,000 loan. Money for the project comes from the Economic Development Investment fund.
Homes will be reserved for people who earn 30% to 80% of the area median income, which is determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Schott-Bresler said.
Median family income in Whatcom County is $97,300. At 80% AMI, a family of four with income of $72,500 could qualify.
Funding for the project was approved in late 2024 but a purchase agreement wasn’t finalized, and the deal had to pass the council again as a supplemental budget request.
Habitat for Humanity uses a concept called “sweat equity” where participants and volunteers build their own homes and help other clients.
This story was originally published March 16, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
