Working Homes LLC

Working Homes LLC Working Homes LLC is a response to the shortage of affordable housing for many in Wallowa County.

Our mission is to advance economic vitality through investments in workforce housing that is accessible and affordable for the current and future workforce.

🏡 Building Homes, Strengthening Community 🏡In 2024, Working Homes partnered with local contractor Donnie Rynearson to co...
09/04/2025

🏡 Building Homes, Strengthening Community 🏡
In 2024, Working Homes partnered with local contractor Donnie Rynearson to construct two new homes in Wallowa, Oregon.
🔹 The first, built in partnership with Hacienda CDC, is now rented at 60% Area Median Income (AMI), providing long-term affordable rental housing.
🔹 The second, financed through a Regional Rural Revitalization (R3) construction loan, was completed in summer 2025 and sold in August 2025 at $250,000 (90% AMI)—offering an affordable path to homeownership.
The success of these projects highlights the importance of Working Homes’ mission: ensuring that families earning a wage in Wallowa County have access to affordable, stable housing while keeping resources circulating locally for future projects.

✨ Progress at the EM&M Building! ✨Thanks to support from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s Preserving Oregon ...
08/27/2025

✨ Progress at the EM&M Building! ✨

Thanks to support from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s Preserving Oregon Grant and the Wildhorse Foundation, we’ve completed mortar repairs on the historic west and north walls of the EM&M Building.

This critical work strengthens the building’s rare Bowlby stone façade, protects its workforce housing units and commercial spaces, and helps preserve one of Enterprise’s most iconic landmarks for generations to come.

A huge thank you to our funders, local partners, and community for helping us protect both history and housing in downtown Enterprise. ❤️

In the heart of downtown Enterprise, the Enterprise Mercantile & Milling (EM&M) Building was built in the early 1900’s a...
08/21/2025

In the heart of downtown Enterprise, the Enterprise Mercantile & Milling (EM&M) Building was built in the early 1900’s and was once known for being a cornerstone for trade and milling in Wallowa County. Its striking Bowlby stone façade, quarried locally, is one of the last of its kind in Oregon — a testament to the craftsmanship and ambition of Enterprise’s early days.

Over the decades, the EM&M shifted from mercantile and milling to mixed use, eventually becoming a vital source of affordable housing in downtown Enterprise. Today, it provides both residential and commercial units, supporting both residents and small businesses.

Working Homes purchased the EM&M building in 2024 to preserve the affordability of the units. We are proud to preserve and reinvest in this historic landmark — keeping it safe, stable, and affordable while honoring its place in Wallowa County’s story.

Follow along as we share updates on the important preservation and improvement work happening at the historic EM&M Building in downtown Enterprise!

In 2023, Working Homes kicked off its very first workforce housing project—a charming 1920s farmhouse sitting on four ci...
08/13/2025

In 2023, Working Homes kicked off its very first workforce housing project—a charming 1920s farmhouse sitting on four city lots. Over the past year, we gave it a full revival: structural repairs, brand-new plumbing and electrical, upgraded windows, and a completely refreshed interior. After a top-to-bottom inspection (and addressing all noted items), this beauty was ready for a new chapter—safe, comfortable, and truly affordable for Wallowa County’s workforce.

By late 2024, it hit the market through Wallowa Mountain Properties at just $253,000—about $100,000 below market value. And this spring, it found the perfect match: a local healthcare worker who now has a forever home right here in our community.

Stay tuned—we’ll be sharing the new homeowner’s story soon!

👋 Meet the Team Behind Working Homes LLC 🏡At Working Homes LLC, our mission is to provide accessible and affordable work...
07/30/2025

👋 Meet the Team Behind Working Homes LLC 🏡
At Working Homes LLC, our mission is to provide accessible and affordable workforce housing in Wallowa County. This vision is brought to life by a dedicated team deeply rooted in our community.
🏡 Kelsey Juve – Program Manager
A lifelong resident of Enterprise, Oregon, Kelsey brings a wealth of experience in construction management and community development. Her hands-on involvement in significant local projects, such as the Minam River Lodge, and her service as a Wallowa County Planning Commissioner, reflect her commitment to sustainable growth in our region. Kelsey's deep understanding of local needs ensures that our housing solutions are both practical and community-focused.
🌲 Nils Christoffersen – Managing Director
Since moving to Wallowa County in 1999, Nils has been a cornerstone in natural resource management and community stewardship. As Executive Director of Wallowa Resources, he has championed place-based solutions that balance ecological health with economic vitality. His global experience, combined with local dedication, guides Working Homes LLC in creating housing that supports both our people and our landscapes.
Together, Kelsey and Nils lead our efforts to address the housing challenges facing Wallowa County's workforce. Their combined expertise and passion drive our commitment to building a resilient and inclusive community.
Stay connected with us as we continue to develop housing solutions that serve the heart of our community.

đź’¬ Why Working Homes was foundedIn 2007 Wallowa County Economic Action Team recognized the need for additional housing fo...
07/23/2025

đź’¬ Why Working Homes was founded

In 2007 Wallowa County Economic Action Team recognized the need for additional housing for the local workforce. This need continued to be recognized throughout the decades and in 2021 and 2022 was identified in both the Wallowa County Economic Opportunity Analysis and City of Enterprise Housing Needs Assessment. In the last decade the typical house value grew by 130% and the median household income only increased by 36%.
In response to the housing crisis, Wallowa Resources’ Board of Directors unanimously voted to create a new subsidiary to support the housing needs in Wallowa County. The mission is to advance economic vitality through investments in workforce housing that is accessible and affordable for the current and future workforce of Wallowa County.
This means that Working Homes is dedicated to the development of Missing Middle housing or 60%-120% of Area Median Income. Targeting the unmeet needs of homes priced at $150,000-$300,000.
The intention is that Working Homes is for the community of Wallowa County and are always seeking local input. Comments can be emailed to [email protected]

🏠 Introducing Working Homes LLC 🏠We’re proud to introduce Working Homes LLC — a mission-driven nonprofit working to make...
06/02/2025

🏠 Introducing Working Homes LLC 🏠
We’re proud to introduce Working Homes LLC — a mission-driven nonprofit working to make affordable workforce housing a reality in Wallowa County. 🌲✨
Our goal is simple: to ensure that local workers — teachers, healthcare staff, service employees, and others — can afford to live in the communities they serve.
By investing in energy-efficient homes and preserving existing housing, we’re building a stronger, more resilient future for the people who keep our towns running. 💪
🔨 Stay tuned for project updates, community meetings, and ways you can get involved!

Address

401 NE 1st Street, Suite A
Enterprise, OR
97828

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4am
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+19712020101

Website

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