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
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.
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.
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.
Newspaper Articles
Rising rents are drowning Washington's smaller cities
Crosscut - by Mai Hoang/ February 8, 2023. Seattle may have the highest rents statewide, but communities such as Walla Walla and Spokane have seen the most drastic losses in affordability.
“Walla Walla residents who were cost-burdened — spending 30% or more of their income on rental costs — was higher than in Seattle. That figure was 56% for Walla Walla renters, compared to 44% for Seattle renters.”
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.”
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.”
Image donated by: Ty Johnson - instagram @love_yourself_first_97
Riley Clubb: Community land trust needed for affordable housing in Walla Walla
Union Bulletin special by Riley Clubb, January 6, 2021.
“Walla Walla is a truly special place in the world, and I believe Common Roots Housing Trust will help us keep it that way.”