Crail Cottages: Designing Homes for Community, Affordability, and Hope

As the architect behind the Crail Cottages, modFORM had the privilege of designing not just houses—but real homes that address one of Wenatchee’s most pressing challenges: the housing shortage. With limited inventory and rising prices, many local wage earners are being priced out of both the rental and ownership markets. This project is a direct response to that crisis, and we are proud to be part of the solution.

Why Crail Cottages Matters

Developed by Common Ground Community Housing Trust (CGCHT), the Crail Cottages consist of eight cottage-style homes, each around 970 square feet, with one- and two-bedroom layouts.

These homes will be sold to households earning 65–80% of Wenatchee Valley’s area median income, making sustainable homeownership accessible to local families and workers.

What makes the project especially compelling is CGCHT’s community land trust model—the homes are individually owned, but the land remains under community stewardship. This perpetual affordability model ensures that these homes remain affordable long-term.

Foundation just poured

Design Goals & Strategy

When Common Ground approached modFORM, they had two core challenges:

* Deliver high-quality, attractive homes that feel like “real neighborhoods,” not temporary solutions.

* Keep construction cost-sensitive, so homes remain affordable for buyers.

modFORM focused on a compact, efficient design strategy:

* Cottage scale- At 970 SF, each home feels cozy yet functional—perfect for small households or couples.

* Simple forms- Clean rooflines and modest footprints minimize material and labor costs.

* Smart layouts- Efficient floor plans maximize usable space without unnecessary square footage.

The goal was to prove that affordability need not sacrifice good design.

Building Community

From the start, the project has been a team effort driven by community values:

A groundbreaking ceremony brought together neighbors, city leaders, and local supporters—underscoring the shared investment in housing solutions.

Jessup Home Design—led by Alan Jessup—joined as the builder. As a local developer with deep ties to the valley, Alan’s craftsmanship and understanding of the mission made him the perfect partner.

The project is backed by a mix of grants and community funding, totaling around \$900,000 to help subsidize the cost.

By working together—architects, builders, funders, and residents—this effort is creating something more than just affordable housing: it’s building community.

Rendering of Crail Cottage

What It Means for Wenatchee

For the people who buy these cottages, the project offers:

* A pathway to homeownership at a time when buying anything within reach of town can feel out of reach.

* A sense of stability and belonging, knowing that their home will remain accessible to future buyers.

* A built environment that respects neighborhood scale—human-centered, thoughtfully designed, and easy to maintain.

For the broader Wenatchee community, the project becomes a proof point—a replicable template showing that affordability and design excellence can coexist.

Looking Ahead

The project is currently in the construction phase, with foundations poured and progress evident on site. In the coming months, these cottage homes will be ready for purchase—turning years of planning and design into real homes and real lives.

For modFORM, Crail Cottages is more than a project—it’s part of a vision: a future where people who work in Wenatchee can actually live here, affordably, and with pride in their home and neighborhood.

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Would You Like to Learn More?

* Explore floor plans and renderings on Common Ground’s website to see the architecture and layout.

* Watch for announcements on homebuyer opportunities in the CGCHT program.

* Connect with modFORM to talk about how thoughtful design and affordability can go hand-in-hand—whether you're planning a small development or envisioning a broader housing strategy for Wenatchee.