Housing advocate wants to build group home

Published 1:30 am Friday, October 6, 2023

Coyla Shepard from Tiny Houses in the Name of Christ — also known as THINC Whidbey — is hoping to get community support to raise money to buy a property in Langley, which the organization would turn into a group home for women and children facing housing insecurity.

The building, which used to be a chiropractor’s office, is on sale for $725,000 and is located at 724 Camano Avenue, in Langley — next to the nine tiny houses built by the same organization and opened this summer.

“The big challenge is raising the money for it,” Shepard said.

Shepard is hoping for one or three large donations to purchase the building. Once the building is acquired, she will accept donations of old cabinets and cupboards. Smaller donations — accepted in the form of pledges — would raise funds for furniture, a washer and a dryer, two escape windows and the addition of a bathroom.

As officials have pointed out ad nauseum, finding affordable housing on Whidbey is getting harder, and businesses are losing employees because they cannot afford rent or find an affordable place.

Many units, Shepard pointed out, are being turned into vacation rentals. On Sept. 25, there were 52 people, including 33 women, who were on THINC’s tiny house waitlist, Shepard wrote in a text.

Housing insecurity has also been affecting children. Between September and October, Mary Mitchell — who works as the South Whidbey School District’s homeless liaison — has identified 86 unstably housed children from 57 families in the district.

Mitchell said these children might be living with friends or relatives, or in a trailer or RV, or in an environment where there is mold, rat infestations or plumbing issues.

Shepard also said donors can help choose a name for the building. People who are interested in making a donation or learning more can reach out to her at 360-969-9444.