Affordable Housing

Jump to: I need affordable housing / I need help tonight / I want to build affordable housing / I want to know more

Housing affordability is a statewide problem and a strategic priority of the Ellensburg City Council. Ellensburg has taken several actions in recent years to improve housing options. In 2017, voters passed a 0.1% (one-tenth of one percent) sales and use tax for affordable housing (RCW 82.14.530). These funds, along with surplus City property are used to develop long-term affordable housing for members of our community. In 2021, the City adopted a Housing Action Plan with strategies to create more housing, different types of housing, and more income-based affordable housing.

I need affordable housing:

The City of Ellensburg does not operate housing. Instead, we partner with developers to meet the housing needs of our City. Please reach out to partners directly for more information.

I want to rent a home:

  • The Housing Authority of Kittitas County operates several income-based properties in Ellensburg and elsewhere in Kittitas County. Phone: (509) 962-9006
  • HopeSource offers income-based housing and additional services. Phone: (509) 925-1448
  • Learn more about and apply directly to local affordable properties: 
  • Aptfinder.org lists income-based properties. Rental providers are responsible for updating their information on this site and property details may not be up to date.

Several local organizations can provide assistance to apply for housing:

Income-based properties generally offer housing for households earning less than 80% of Area Median Income for Kittitas County (adjusted for the number of members in the household). Some units have additional eligibility criteria, such as lower income limits, or serve people with disabilities, seniors or people at risk of or currently experiencing homelessness. Housing providers can tell you more about their availability and offerings directly. The following chart shows how income levels are classified in Kittitas County. You can get a sense of your eligibility using the chart below based on the total number of people in your household and your combined annual income. Housing providers will require you to provide documentation as part of your application.

Income Limits Summary (May 2025-May 2026)

Income limits at 30-80% AMI by household size drawn from HUD and WSHFC data

Source: Housing and Urban Development, Washington State Housing Finance Corporation (WSHFC)

I need help tonight:

I want to buy a home: 

I want to build affordable housing:

Please visit the Housing in Ellensburg page for details on City programs to support affordable housing development. In addition, residential development incentives offered by the City can support affordable housing. Visit the accessory dwelling unit (ADU) and homeowner resources page to learn more about this this kind of housing. 

Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King & Kittitas Counties to help construct homes for local families. 

I want to know more:

Affordable housing projects in the community have been possible because of partnerships between government agencies, nonprofits, and developers. Leveraging those partnerships with surplus property and sales and use tax funds has led to the following affordable housing projects in Ellensburg.


Ellensburg Affordable Housing Projects

The City has supported developers to create 20 new units of affordable housing through sales tax, grant and/or property contributions and 100 additional units are currently planned or in development.

Planned & Under Construction

Stuart Meadows - 2700-2810 North Water StreetStuartMeadows finished

  • Developer: Habitat for Humanity Seattle - King & Kittitas Counties
  • Units & affordability: 18 homeownership units (3 units at up to 60% AMI, 15 units at up to 80% AMI)
  • Planned completion: Summer 2026 (12 units already completed)
  • City support:
    • $765,000 in affordable housing funds
    • Property contribution
    • Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program (CHIP) administration for a $1,395,000 award

This homeownership project allows new owners to buy their homes at a reduced price as the land remains owned by a community land trust for affordability for future generations. New homeowners and their supporters help construct their homes under the Habitat model. Other funders include Washington State and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Pathways - 1200 South Ruby StreetPathways Place rendering 

  • Developers: HopeSource & Stewardship Development
  • Units & affordability: 78 units (39 units at up to 30% AMI; 39 units at up to 50% AMI)
  • Planned completion: Winter 2027
  • City support:
    • $750,000 in affordable housing funds
    • Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program (CHIP) grant administration for a $829,857 award
    • Waiver of water, sewer, and traffic impact fees  

This development will renovate the former Nites Inn motel and add two new housing buildings and one new clubhouse building on the site. The project includes some units set aside for veterans and formerly homeless populations. Developers are in the final phase of permitting and financing and plan to start construction in 2026. Other funders include Kittitas County, the Washington State Housing Trust Fund, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

510 South Willow Street Rendering of three new houses on a lot in a neighborhood.

Habitat will develop three homeownership units that will be permanently affordable though a land trust model. 

Odd Fellows Lodge #20 Housing Project - 1900 Brick Road Building rendering showing a two-story building with a great room

  • Developers: Odd Fellows Lodge #20 & Office of Rural and Farmworker Housing 
  • Units & affordability: 24 rental units (up to 50% AMI) 
  • Planned completion: September 2027
  • City support: 
    • $1,200,000 in affordable housing funds
    • Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program (CHIP) grant administration for a $1,000,000 award
    • Potential waiver of water and sewer fees

The development represents the first phase on 10 acres owned by the Odd Fellows Lodge that could accommodate additional housing. It is intended to serve veterans and working families in the first phase and could include additional housing and potentially other uses in later phases. 

East First Ave & North Pine Street Watercolor rendering of townhomes at the corner of 1st Ave and Pine Street

This project would offer 1- and 2-bedroom townhomes close to downtown to qualified buyers. Affordability would be retained for 51 years with new buyers required to income qualify.

Catherine Property - Vantage Highway

City Council designated this property adjacent to KXLE as surplus for public benefit of affordable housing in August 2022. While project designs were being refined, an environmental assessment in July 2023 identified wetland characteristics on the site as most likely irrigation induced and recommended piping the existing irrigation ditch to determine the wetland status and the parcel's buildable area. The city's contractor completed the recommended works through the property in May 2024 and no wetland was found in October 2025. The property was initially donated to the city in 1980 on behalf of Catherine M. DiMeo. 

Completed

Addison Place - 211 South Pearl Street

  • Property Manager: HopeSourceThree duplexes under construction
  • Units & affordability: 8 rental units (all at up to 60% AMI)
  • Completed: Fall 2025
  • City support:
    • $1,200,000 in affordable housing funds

HopeSource acquired these recently completed apartments from a local developer and will manage them as affordable rentals for 25 years. Kittitas County also provided funds for this affordable housing acquisition.

Additional Information

  • About 41% of Ellensburg households are cost-burdened (30% or more of income goes toward housing and utility costs) or severely cost-burdened (50% or more of income goes toward housing and utility costs).
  • Ellensburg is growing and housing production is not keeping up. An additional 4,772 housing units are needed by 2037 to align with population needs.
  • Ellensburg’s housing stock lacks midsized options for smaller households. From 2016-2020, only 71 units of missing middle housing types were produced in Ellensburg.
  • Cost-burdened renters are unlikely to accumulate enough savings to start meaningful down payment funds for future homeownership. Affordable housing can be a path to homeownership.
  • Currently, the City has an “open” process for applicants to request affordable housing sales tax funds at any time. The Affordable Housing Commission reviews applications received by the City and makes a recommendation to the City Council for funding or use of surplus property for affordable housing.