FAQs
The Whatcom Community Foundation (WCF) is spearheading the Millworks project. We are a philanthropic organization in hot pursuit of a future where everyone in Whatcom County thrives. Since our founding in 1996, the Community Foundation has invested over $80 million in projects, programs and organizations that build community health, happiness and prosperity.
The Millworks builds on multiple established community plans and goals:
Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan
Community Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)
The Waterfront Futures Group (2003-4)
The City of Bellingham: Consolidated Plan
Bellingham City Council Legacies and Strategic Commitments
Community Health Improvement Plan (2022-2026)
As master developer, the Whatcom Community Foundation is responsible for the Millworks from conception to completion. We established The Millworks LLC to accomplish the project. Our interests lie in public goods, wherever such opportunities exist. Our value lies in the Foundation’s strength as a catalyst for community progress and equity. Our understanding of community challenges and development combined with trusted relationships across the community’s private, nonprofit and public sectors put the Foundation in a strong position to bring together the right partners to realize a project that serves the people of Whatcom County well into the future.
Mercy Housing Northwest has developed more than 2,000 rental homes that working people across Washington can afford, including 321 units in seven projects in Whatcom County serving approximately 600 people.
Mercy distinguishes itself with valuable onsite resident services, which have been refined over its 30-year history of support that helps people make positive changes in their lives and pursue opportunities to get permanently out of poverty. Mercy delivers culturally responsive services in a model that is based on partnerships with other community-based providers. A particular focus in Bellingham has been on children’s educational success, which has led to transformative change for families, including seeing graduation rates at Mercy’s Sterling Meadows property rise to 98%.
The Port of Bellingham owns most of the property in the Waterfront District. Thanks to the affordable housing component of Phase 1 and the partnership with Mercy Housing NW, the Port secured funding for planning and site cleanup from the Washington State Department of Ecology and worked with the agency to facilitate and expedite site cleanup. The Port sold a portion of the Millworks site to Mercy Housing NW at the end of 2023 for the completion of Phase 1.
The Millworks LLC has an option to purchase the remaining portion of the site for Phase 2 through December 31, 2025. The Port continues to work with the Community Foundation to help move the project forward.
Phase 1 financing involves a combination of public and private funds, including from the Bellingham’s Home Fund, a 10-year housing levy, Washington State Housing Trust Fund, and federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, as well generous donations from PeaceHealth, the Norcliffe Foundation, the Mt. Baker Foundation and the Whatcom Community Foundation — which includes gifts from individuals.
Phase 2 financing will include philanthropic dollars – gifts and grants, an essential component to help ensure long-term affordability, as well as investment dollars and debt financing. Phase 2 will also benefit from a new local impact investment vehicle that puts local dollars to work to help address the community’s attainable housing crisis.
Phase 1 is fully occupied as of July 2024.
Phase 2 is anticipated for occupancy by year end 2027.
