Affordable housing is a continuing problem for residents living in Island County. Housing costs are increasing faster than wages. The cost of buying or building a home continues to rise dramatically. Rental rates are increasing leaving many people living in Island County struggling to find an affordable place to live.

To understand the issues surrounding affordable housing in Island County, you should know who is struggling to find an affordable home. The average wage in Island County is $14 per hour, which translates to a yearly gross income of $26,880. With this income, one qualifies for a $140,000 mortgage, or rental payments of $672 per month. Finding either one in Island County is nearly impossible. Of course, there are many people who earn less and are working at more than one job to try and make ends meet.

Myth: “Anyone with a job can afford a decent place to live.”

Fact: WISH has helped police officers, school teachers, county employees, service providers, healthcare workers, students, parents, grandparents, people receiving Social Security benefits and people receiving unemployment benefits. For many, an unforeseen illness, accident, or downsize at work can be the difference in whether or not they can afford to remain where they are living.

Island County must address affordable housing issues for a wide range of individuals. For many years I have supported affordable housing initiatives. In the spring of 2005, I was invited to be keynote speaker at the first Island County Housing Resources Conference. This conference brought together the housing and service providers, elected officials and others in the public, private and non-profit sectors. During that conference, many community needs were addressed. We made a commitment to support the rural diversity that is so important to the quality of life in Island County.

Many agencies are networking together to meet the housing needs of Island County citizens. Whidbey Island Share A Home (WISH) is one such solution. WISH is a non-profit program that helps senior citizens, individuals, single parents, families and couples to remain in their homes when they are challenged with finances or independent living. WISH helps people needing housing find these homeowners, and make creative arrangements for living together. Home sharing is a very cost effective, community centered approach to affordable housing, because it utilizes existing housing. WISH has made 59 home share matches since their program began in 2004. WISH supports both short-term and long-term housing needs. Twenty two homes share matches have celebrated their one year anniversary, and five matches still remain together after two years.

Once again, house-shaped piggy banks will be making their way into homes and businesses this Thanksgiving season. If you are fortunate enough to be able to afford the comforts of your own home, I encourage you to reach out and support the WISH program during their Thanksgiving Fund-raising campaign, “Share Your Change – Share a Home.” I will once again return my full bank to help “make my change count,” supporting WISH’s mission to offer affordable housing alternatives on Whidbey Island. I know WISH can count on you to help make a difference, too.

Mike Shelton is an Island County Commissioner.