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Commissioners hear update on 99-year lease affordable-housing model; express concerns about equity cap and long-term resale rules
Summary
A representative from Columbia Cascade housing concepts briefed commissioners on a proposal to provide homes on 99-year leases where the land remains with the corporation; commissioners praised progress but raised questions about a 7% equity cap, resale rules and long-term affordability mechanisms.
Skamania County commissioners received an update on April 22 about an affordable housing concept under consideration by a regional housing corporation that would sell house structures on 99-year leases while the nonprofit retains ownership of the land.
Liz Wilbur of the regional housing organization (identified in discussion as Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation / Mid-Columbia Housing Authority affiliation) told the board the model is in use elsewhere in Washington and that the program would build small homes (discussed as roughly 1,200 square feet, two- or three-bedroom plans were noted). The corporation would retain ownership of the land and offer a 99-year lease to homeowners; documents discussed include a 7% equity cap on resale and a monthly land-lease fee referenced in discussion as about $65.
Commissioners welcomed the renewed activity on the project but raised several concerns: the 7% equity cap on resale and how it would affect homeowners’ ability to build equity, whether homebuyers would be restricted to in-county residents, how long-term transitions from subsidized ownership would be handled, and the availability of down-payment assistance for local buyers. One commissioner asked for follow-up meetings with the housing representative to clarify lease terms and the model’s protections for buyers.
No formal county action or funding decision was made on April 22. Commissioners asked staff to arrange a briefing with the housing representative and to provide more detailed information on the lease terms, resale caps, eligibility priorities, and lending hurdles discussed by regional lenders.
