LaFreniere Court – Equity Place

Collaborators

What Makes this home Green?

LaFreniere Court – Equity Place is an 18-home permanently affordable homeownership community developed by Kulshan Community Land Trust in Bellingham’s Birchwood neighborhood. This development reflects Kulshan CLT’s mission: ensuring that land remains permanently affordable while homeowners build equity and stability. As land and construction costs rise, LaFreniere Court shows that climate-forward housing can still serve working families earning 60–80% of Area Median Income. Designed at a “middle housing” scale, LaFreniere Court demonstrates how climate-responsive design, durable materials, and permanently affordable homeownership can coexist within an urban infill context.

The community is intentionally child-centered, with an estimated 30–40 children expected to live onsite. A timber-frame pavilion with a living roof (in fundraising phase) will serve as a community gathering space. The project incorporates shared infrastructure, stormwater strategies, and an HOA model that includes volunteer stewardship hours to build community cohesion.

The project includes:

• Solar photovoltaic systems on every home
• Shared EV charging
• Metal roofs for longevity and fire resilience
• Compact private yards paired with shared green space

This project is important because it addresses:

• Climate resilience
• Housing affordability
• Community-building
• Long-term stewardship of land

LaFreniere Court is not just green housing — it is equitable green housing.

Constructed Date: March 2025 – Current

Four clusters of four townhomes (16 homes) with two standalone, fully accessible single-family homes

Unit Type 1: 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath

Unit Type 2: 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath

Features