Langley’s newest affordable housing and intentional community is set to break ground with the development’s recent approval by hearing examiner Ted Hunter.

In a news release, the group behind Upper Langley celebrated the news that the South Whidbey city’s first Innovative Permanently Affordable Program for housing is closer to reality.

“We are deeply grateful to the many supporters and helpers along the road to this milestone in our destination,” the release said.

The next steps for the project are to have a road paved to replace the gravel currently along the stretch of Al Anderson Avenue, south of Fairgrounds Road and the Langley Community Garden. It will be located across the road from the Langley-Woodmen Cemetery.

Langley Director of Community Planning Michael Davolio credited the project for its innovation.

“I am happy to have been a part of this process, as I believe that Upper Langley will provide a great example of what housing affordability can look like,” he said, adding that he was one of three planning directors to work on the development over the past few years. “We will all be closely tracking the progress of this project, to see if there are ways to make this “demonstration project” a more permanent part of the city’s affordable housing strategy.”