Dare Housing Foundation outlines land‑trust approach, reports $17,658 spent so far and $94,000 on hand

Donna Crieff, representing the newly formed Dare Housing Foundation, updated the Dare County Board of Commissioners on the nonprofit's progress in its first year of operation.

Crieff said the foundation received the first two quarterly installments of county startup funding and has spent $17,658.31 to date on set-up costs, insurance, a lease and digital services. She reported roughly $94,000 in the foundation's bank account, which includes private donations and funds from the Our State Our Homes program. "We received our 501(c)(3) status in February 2026," Crieff told the board, adding that the group has filed required quarterly reports and is pursuing additional grants and private donations.

Why it matters: Crieff framed the foundation's work as a step toward increasing year‑round housing options in Dare County by focusing on realistic, staged development rather than the large unit counts some earlier reports contemplated. She said the foundation is prioritizing public land use, small-footprint housing types and a community land trust model to preserve long-term affordability.

What the foundation described: Crieff said the group is working from a UNC Kenan School concept plan that envisions a mix of single-family homes and small multifamily buildings of up to four units under one roof (which remain under the residential code). The foundation has completed an RFQ for architects and engineers, received responses and plans to interview finalists later in July. Crieff summarized anticipated unit sizes (roughly 800 to 1,200 square feet) and a construction cost illustration that used a $300,000 per-unit baseline and a USDA interest-rate assumption of 5.125 percent.

Policy and mechanics: On the land‑trust approach, Crieff said the nonprofit would own land and lease it to buyers under long ground leases (99 years) while setting resale formulas that cap selling price and require primary residency to prevent short‑term rentals. She described eligibility rules commonly used by land trusts: an income target (for example 80 percent AMI), a 30 percent housing‑cost cap, and resale formulas based on tenure to preserve affordability for successive buyers.

Questions from commissioners focused on numbers and mechanisms. Commissioner Ross asked Crieff to correct a typo in her materials and to confirm assumptions used in the cost illustrations; Crieff agreed to revise and reissue the slide packet. Board members also asked whether towns identified in the housing task force report had formally allocated funds; Crieff said she expected confirmations at the foundation's July meeting but had not received official letters yet.

Next steps: Crieff said the foundation will continue monthly meetings, complete architect selection, refine a concept plan and return to the board in about six months with requests tied to specific public land uses.

Board reaction: Chair Bob Woodard commended the foundation's early progress and said the board was supportive. "Small steps lead to success," Crieff said.

Ending note: The foundation emphasized incremental, volunteer-driven progress while pursuing grants, private donations and leverage of public lands to create permanently affordable homeownership opportunities.