Okanogan Housing Needs Study

In 2020, community leaders across Okanogan County commissioned a study to help our region plan for and support the development of housing in the area. The Housing Needs Study illuminated the challenges of finding safe, affordable, and accessible housing, particularly for those at lower income levels and those from other underserved populations, and provides recommendations for each subregion of Okanogan County. 

A few key findings from the study:

• 75% of Okanogan County residents said housing was either far too expensive or somewhat too expensive

• Demand for subsidized housing significantly outpaces existing supply. In 2020, all subsidized units were occupied and there were nearly 300 people on waiting lists

• In terms of residents' likelihood to be cost-burdened by housing, Brewster —a predominantly Latino/Hispanic community— has the greatest need

• The housing stock in Okanogan County is much older than the national average

• The Methow Valley has a high proportion of second-home owners, with 43% of housing units characterized as vacant in 2020.

• The findings point to affordable, non-subsidized rentals as the county's single biggest housing-related need

• From 2008 to 2018, the % of Okanogan County's population that is 65 and older increased from 16.1% to 23.5%. Forecasts indicate this proportion will increase to 29.3% by 2030