Home Ownership FAQs

  • VHH has three community land trust properties where affordable homes can be purchaced — Sunflower, Roseballen, and Vashon Co-housing.

  • VHH home ownership is restricted to those at 80% median income and below, based on adjusted gross income and as determined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

    VHH will request documentation in order to determine income qualifications before you can enter into a contract negotiation with a seller. Most lenders will require this information as well, and VHH can provide you a copy of this income qualification document.

  • All homes have restrictions on their sale price and limited appreciation. The process is set up so that homes stay affordable for future buyers as well, rather than generating a lot of money on resale.  At this time, the price range for each VHH site is as follows:

    Sunflower: Resale is subject to an 80% median income restriction cap. Currently the maximum resale price is approximately $190,000 for one-bedroom home with a loft room. All 14 Sunflower homes fall in this category.

    Roseballen: Resale is subject to an 80% median income restriction cap. Currently the maximum resale price is approximately $230,000 for two, three, and four-bedroom homes.  All 19 Roseballen homes fall in this category.

    Vashon Co-Housing:  Price is only limited by what a buyer at the 80% median income can afford. There are only five homes governed by these restrictions.  All other Co-Housing homes are market rate housing. This project has the fewest resale restrictions.  Co-Housing does require an interview about co-housing participation and expectations, as this is a more intentional community.

  • No. Each home is controlled by the homeowner in terms of negotiation and use of realtor. When a homeowner decides to sell, they notify VHH to begin sales process. Homeowners are clear with all potential buyers that they need to contact VHH to income qualify before they can negotiate the home price and sales contract.

  • This is determined by your own financing. VHH does not require any minimum down payment.

  • The home can be inherited, but that person must also income qualify to occupy the unit. Otherwise, they must sell the home to an income-qualified person. The home cannot be rented.

  • There is no minimum amount of time. Generally speaking, if you do not see yourself living in the home for at least 5 years, this is probably not a good financial decision as fees paid for mortgage, financing, appraisals etc. would not be covered by the lower appreciation of these homes.

  • You must occupy the home nine months out of the year. There are also restrictions on how and to whom you can sublet. The homeowners association (HOA) Board decides on these issues.

  • Yes. You are automatically a voting member of the HOA, and it is highly recommended that you participate as the HOA decides rules and determines special assessments.

  • VHH owns the land that your home is on. You have a renewable 99 year lease. The value of this arrangement is that property taxes are lower.

 Rental Unit FAQs

  • VHH has five, soon to be six, apartment complexes.  They are:

    1. Eernisse Apartments with 26 units in a combination of one, two, and three-bedroom units.

    2. Mukai Apartments with 20 units in a combination of one and two-bedroom units.

    3. Charter House with nine units that are all one bedroom.

    4. J.G. Commons with 21 units that are all one bedroom.

    5. Islander Apartments with 12 one and two bedroom units.

    6. Island Center Homes with 40 one bedroom units, to be completed in 2024.

  • All of VHH apartments are income qualified based on adjusted gross income.

  • Some apartments have restrictions on who can rent because of their rental subsidy. The nine Charter House units are restricted to ages 62 and older or persons with a disability. The J.G. Commons 21 units are restricted to ages 62 and older. There are five units at Mukai Commons that are specifically for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

  • It depends on type of subsidy at each apartment.  For example, Section 8 vouchers at Eernisse are a different than USDA subsidies at Charter House.  The best rule of thumb is that the majority of VHH units are regulated at 30% median income limits, meaning you will pay no more than 30% of your income in rent.  The City of Seattle shows the maximum rents that can be charged, and the same limits apply across King County, including on Vashon.  

    Each situation is different, but as an example, a person with only Social Security or disability income at $800 dollars per month would pay $240 per month or less depending on their subsidy.

    VHH does not charge the maximum rents as listed in link above. Currently our highest rent is for a three-bedroom apartment at Eernisse for $933 per month for people at 50% median income.  We strive to keep rents as low as possible.

  • You pay for your own electric at all VHH apartments because heating is electric at all VHH properties. A utility allowance is figured into your overall rent amount, and all water, sewer, and garbage costs are included in your rent.

  • Yes. Most units do allow pets with additional deposit and annual documentation that pet has vaccinations and is licensed (if required by type of animal). Service animals do not require the additional deposit.

  • Yes. The VHH waitlist is very long. We recently went through more than 350 applicants collected during the past 15 years and cleared out applicants who no longer live in the area or found other housing. We have reduced this waitlist to 60 people still in need. Wait times are on average more than 3 years. We are not currently taking additional applications so we can better manage our waitlists. VHH will take your name and contact information and will get in touch with you when the waitlist is reopened. You can fill out an application at that time.