Elijah Family Homes is developing Sunrise Village, a community of six cottage homes in Kennewick designed to provide affordable housing for families working toward self-sufficiency. Each one-story, 784-square-foot home includes two bedrooms, one bathroom, a living area, kitchen and eating area.

The cottages on South Jean Street feature neutral interior colors, luxury vinyl plank flooring, front porches and small yards. Each home is painted a different color, with white or black windows and HardiePlank siding that adds to the development’s curb appeal.

The homes will serve families enrolled in Elijah Family Homes’ Transition to Success program for up to three years. Participants work through three stages of the program before graduating with the goal of achieving self-sufficiency. Housing costs are based on family income, with participants paying 30% of the area median income.

The approximately $1.5 million project includes land costs. The organization paid $450,000 for the existing housing unit and the land for the six cottages. With the existing home and the new cottages, the property will be able to house seven families at a time. The organization anticipates that housing payments from those families will help subsidize housing for at least three additional Transition to Success families.

Elijah Family Homes pursued the project in response to growing demand for affordable housing and an expanding waiting list. The nonprofit, founded in 2005, provides housing and supportive services to families in Benton and Franklin counties who are seeking recovery. Its program combines stable housing with intensive wraparound case management and accountability, with the goal of helping families overcome barriers to self-sufficiency. The organization reports a 96% success rate.

Lexar Homes of Kennewick served as the general contractor and designer.  

The first three cottages were scheduled to welcome families Nov. 4, with the remaining three homes expected to be completed by Jan. 1, 2027.

Go to: elijahfamilyhomes.org.