A Place to Live, Grow, and Build a Future
After years of planning, permitting, and anticipation, Habitat for Humanity in Whatcom County has completed the first 12 units of the 54-unit Telegraph Townhome Project.
Construction of the next four units has begun as of February 2024.
In a unique partnership with the Kulshan Community Land Trust (KulshanCLT), Habitat is now building decent, safe, affordable homes for not just 1 or 2 local families, but many. This project is proving to be a vital testing ground for how to scale up for even greater community impact. Telegraph is rising!
Our vision for the societal impacts of the Telegraph Townhomes Project includes:
- 52 homes that hard-working families can afford to buy
- Built to Habitat Passive energy goals, customized for long-term maintenance affordability
- New bus stop in front of the property, allowing easy access to Bellingham’s commercial centers, social services, healthcare, education, and more
- Community garden to promote healthy neighborhood connections
- Access to Bellingham Park’s trail system to promote physical activity and healthy lifestyles
The ambitious scale of the Telegraph Townhomes Project means Habitat and KulchanCLT can create housing sector impact. Potential home buyers must first qualify either for Habitat for Humanity in Whatcom County’s, or KulshanCLT’s, new-home programs. For information about how to qualify for a Habitat home, click here. For information about how the KulshanCLT program works, see their website. Home-buyer qualifications for Habitat’s program include the following:
- All potential applicants must meet income and need guidelines
- Applicants are vetted by an all-volunteer selection committee and are selected anonymously by our Habitat Board of Directors
- Habitat homeowners must perform a minimum of 500 hours of sweat-equity as part of their down payment
Perfecting our Habitat Passive Techniques at the Telegraph Townhomes
Eight years ago we built our first Habitat Passive home. By using passive house techniques, we are able to combine the highest possible energy efficiency standards with easy-to-teach construction methods, such as triple pane windows, air to air heat exchange, and a highly insulated envelope.
The result is a home that is 90% more efficient to heat, while staying true to our goal of building simple, affordable homes; and with energy bills that are less than $20 a month, our homes stay permanently affordable for our homebuyers.
The first 12 units at Telegraph will also have solar power, thanks to a PSE grant awarded to Kulshan Community Land Trust. Thanks to our partnership with EcoTech Solar, donated panels will power community solar.
You can help our Store
One of the easiest ways you can help Habitat is by donating your new and gently used furniture, housewares, and building supplies to our Habitat Store.
Make a cash donation
Habitat is deeply grateful for every cash donation we receive, of any dollar amount, because these donations help us build homes. It’s that simple. Whether you make a one-time donation or a small monthly donation, every dollar creates safe, decent, permanent, and affordable housing solutions in Whatcom County.
To learn about other ways to help, including pledging professional services or donations of in-kind materials, contact us at 360.715.9170.
Become a Habitat volunteer
Our volunteers and partner families do most of the work of building every Habitat home. We encourage volunteers of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels. We welcome individual volunteers as well as families and businesses, churches, and civic groups. Volunteering on a Habitat home can be a great team building or fellowship activity.