Recent News
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Waitsburg Commercial Club hosts Common Roots
Waitsburg Times - by Karen Huwe, July 23, 2026
“Common Roots has acquired land in Waitsburg to build six or seven homes. A community land trust owns the land and sells homes built on that land.”
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Common Roots Land Trust to provide affordable homeownership in Waitsburg and Walla Walla
Waitsburg Times - Lane Gwinn, July 23, 2026
“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.”
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Common Roots Housing Trust to bring affordable housing to Waitsburg
Union Bulletin - Loryn Kykendall, July 15, 2026
“Prospective home buyers in Waitsburg have more affordable housing options coming to the area thanks to a new project led by Common Roots Housing Trust.”
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Common Roots Housing Trust opens Milton-Freewater home to potential buyers
Union Bulletin - by Kate Smith, July 9, 2026
“Common Roots Housing Trust is inviting prospective homebuyers to a Saturday, July 11, open house showcasing a permanently affordable home available through its community land trust program.”
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Common Roots Housing Trust to host potential home buyers at two community info sessions
Union Bulletin - Kate Smith, October 16, 2025
“These sessions are a chance to learn how the Community Land Trust model works, and how it can open the door to homeownership for more people in our communities,” Executive Director Kathryn Witherington
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Riley Clubb: Community land trust needed for affordable housing in Walla Walla
Union Bulletin special by Riley Clubb, January 6, 2021.
Image donated by: Ty Johnson - instagram @love_yourself_first_97
“Walla Walla is a truly special place in the world, and I believe Common Roots Housing Trust will help us keep it that way.”
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Rising rents are drowning Washington's smaller cities
Union Bulletin - Letter to the editor, by Patricia Divine Wilder, January 3, 2021.
“This is my hometown but living out my retirement here seems less and less likely.”
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Help keep homes in the region affordable
Union Bulletin - Letter to the editor, by Patricia Divine Wilder, January 3, 2021.
“This is my hometown but living out my retirement here seems less and less likely.”
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Common Roots Housing Trust, a new Walla Walla Valley nonprofit, makes plans to tackle affordable housing
Union Bulletin article by Chloe LeValley, January 9, 2021.
“A team of community members has been volunteering on a task force for a year, working with Community Council to develop a community land trust in the region.”
2023 Annual Meeting and Report
Our first annual meeting was a great success thanks to an amazing group of participants. We had 45 people in attendance, held our first board election and approved our first list of 41 members. We also released the 2023 Annual Report.
2023 Annual Report
Common Roots News
Photos by Kathy McConnell
Interview on BMTV
This is an edited version of BMTV's "This Week from Blue mountain Broadcasting" interview with: Rachel Elfenbein, Catherine Veninga, & Nancy Riggle. For the full episode, visit: https://bmt.tv/on-demand/ Originally aired on January 7th, 2021.
Videos
Common Roots Town Hall Promotional
Common Roots Housing Trust is a community organization that provides homeownership opportunities to residents in Walla Walla/Columbia Counties and Milton-Freewater whose needs are not met by the traditional housing market.
Common Roots Virtual Town Hall
This is the recoding of the virtual event that took place January 11th, 2021. Hear hear housing statistics for our region, why a housing trust is needed in the area, how a housing trust addresses those needs, and how you can participate. Facilitated by Lily Seaman. Speakers include: Julie Brenner, Nadean Pulfer, Amanda Trejo-Perez, Jennie Dickinson, Laura Prado, and Chad Hickox.
Note: the audio in the first minute had technical difficulties. English subtitles are provided. The remainder of the presentation is with English audio, and does not currently include subtitles. Thank your your understanding.