MEAD, Wash. — A unique housing community is helping local families in Mead.
The first home was built inside Takesa Village this week. It’s a resident-owned community that keeps housing costs low which helps low-income families own a home.
Community members say it’s the first of many.
“Total amount monthly is $380 and 20 of that is water and sewer,” said Jeff Kyle, a resident of Takesa Village.
Because the people that live in this housing community own it, tenants are able to pay low rent prices.
Kyle said, “We get to control what the rent will be.”
Sarah Olsen works with Village Cohousing Works, an organization helping people living in Takesa Village move into brand new affordable homes.
She said, “A lot of renters are spending, you know, 50 to 80% of their income on rent. And that’s just what’s supposed to be affordable rent is 35% of your income.”
The organization will eventually add nine more homes to the property. The organization is partnering with Numerica to help families build equity without worrying about rent increases.