Welcome to Stuart Meadows!
Located in Ellensburg, Stuart Meadows is expanding what affordable homeownership can look like in Kittitas County. This new Habitat community will provide 18 first-time homebuyers with a welcoming place to put down roots, featuring permanently affordable 3-bedroom homes designed for stability, comfort, and everyday life.
There are 6 homes available in Phase III. Once complete, Stuart Meadows will feature 18 new, permanently affordable units.
These homes are expected to be completed in 2026. All buyers have been selected and we are no longer accepting applications for these homes.
“Starting fresh and new, I can feel confident in a house that can last for years.”
– Aaron M., Habitat Homeowner
About Stuart Meadows
Homes at a Glance
Stuart Meadows will provide 18 first-time homebuyers with an exciting place to live in Ellensburg — offering thoughtfully designed homes that make everyday life feel easier and more stable.
Each home features:
- 3 bedrooms
- 1.75 bathrooms
- 1,150 sq. ft.
Homes include brand-new appliances (including in-unit washer/dryer), a single-story layout, and two reserved off-street parking spots. Located just minutes from downtown Ellensburg and I-90, Stuart Meadows offers easy access to parks, trailheads, and local amenities.
Household Sizes & Layout Options
Stuart Meadows homes are designed to support a range of household types — whether you’re moving on your own, building a family, or sharing space with others. There is no minimum household size, and each home can accommodate up to 6 people, offering flexibility for different ways of living.
Click below to explore 3D tours.
*Unit layouts will vary by building.
Shared Spaces & Getting Around
Stuart Meadows is designed to feel like a true neighborhood — with space to breathe, connect, and enjoy the outdoors. Each home includes its own yard space, creating room for everyday moments outside: morning coffee in the sun, kids playing after school, a small garden, or simply a quiet place to unwind.
While Stuart Meadows offers a peaceful place to settle in, you’ll still be close to everything Ellensburg has to offer. Homes are located just 5 minutes from downtown Ellensburg and 6 minutes from I-90, with nearby schools, shopping, and local essentials close by for everyday convenience.
Financial Information
These homes are priced as low as $250,000; the estimated all-inclusive monthly payments for these homes will be between $1,570 – $3,000. Habitat requires our homebuyers to finance the purchase of their home with a mortgage. These payment ranges include mortgage payments, estimated property taxes, estimated homeowner’s insurance, and estimated HOA dues. Please see HOA section below for more details.
Your specific monthly payment will be based on your income and household size. Homebuyers must show that they can afford this payment without being cost-burdened. For most households, this means earning a combined $51,000 or more per year. If your total household income is below this threshold, but you have significant funds to contribute towards your cash contribution, you may still qualify. If you are unsure, you are still encouraged to apply!
Applicants must show that they have at least $1,000 for the minimum required cash contribution at the time of applying. Your exact cash contribution may be higher depending on your specific financial situation. Additionally, if you have over $20,000 in liquid assets*, you must contribute all but $20,000 of your liquid assets towards your cash contribution. For example, if you have $30,000 in savings, you would need to contribute $10,000, keeping $20,000 in your savings.
*”Liquid assets” means money that you have immediate access to in accounts such as checking & savings accounts, or money market accounts that you can withdraw from without penalty. This does not include money in stocks, bonds, IRAs, 401ks, life insurance, annuities, or physical assets.
| Household Size | Maximum Income Limit (80% AMI) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $60,150 |
| 2 | $68,750 |
| 3 | $77,350 |
| 4 | $85,900 |
| 5 | $92,800 |
| 6 | $99,650 |
About Ellensburg
***For your own safety, please do not step foot on the construction site. Stuart Meadows is an active construction site and any visits must be scheduled with office staff in advance.***
These homes are located in Ellensburg, a charming town that is home to Central Washington University.
Ellensburg is known for its well-preserved historic downtown, strong sense of community, and plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities including hiking, biking, and fishing in the nearby Yakima River.
The town hosts several annual events, including the Ellensburg Rodeo, Jazz in the Valley, and the Kittitas County Fair.
Homeowners Association
These homes will be part of a Homeowners Association (HOA). A Homeowners Association is a non-profit corporation that is democratically run by owners within the community. Owners pool resources (through monthly dues) and agree on what to use the money for, whether it be upkeep of common spaces, exterior maintenance of homes, or other priorities.
To learn more, please visit our HOA information page.
Building Stuart Meadows, Step by Step
Stuart Meadows is coming together through steady progress, thoughtful planning, and many hands working toward a shared goal. With Phase I and Phase II already complete — and homeowners moved in — this growing Habitat community has become a real place to put down roots in Ellensburg. Phase III is close to completion, continuing the work of building permanently affordable homeownership in Kittitas County.
The image comparison below shows Stuart Meadows in motion — with Phase III homes underway, new homeowners already living in Phases I and II, and additional homes still under construction as the community continues to grow.
Once complete, Stuart Meadows will feature 18 new, permanently affordable units.
What’s The Latest?
As of January 2026, construction at Stuart Meadows Phase III is steadily moving forward, with homes across the site in different stages of progress. In some homes, interior spaces are taking shape as layouts, finishes, and building details come into focus—while in others, framing is underway and the structure is rising quickly.
Imagining the Finished Community
Before Phase III is complete, these interior photos from finished homes in Phases I and II offer a look at what’s ahead. They show how Stuart Meadows homes are designed to feel once complete — bright, thoughtfully laid out, and built for everyday comfort.
This is the future we’re building toward: a permanent home in Ellensburg, designed to support stability for generations.
The Bigger Picture
Why Projects like Stuart Meadows Matter
Stuart Meadows totals 22,414 square feet, with a development budget of $10.94 million.
Across Washington state, housing costs continue to outpace incomes. Today, more than half of renter households and nearly one in four homeowner households are considered cost burdened, meaning they spend an unsustainable portion of their income on housing.
In Kittitas County, the affordability gap is growing. As of December 2025, the median home price was $483,953 — a cost that is unaffordable for 82% of families. To qualify for a median-priced home, a household would need an income around 154% of Area Median Income (AMI), far above what many local residents earn.
With the county’s median household income at $69,928, rising housing prices are putting homeownership further out of reach. At the same time, construction costs continue to climb, and the region faces a significant shortage of affordable housing options — making projects like Stuart Meadows more critical than ever.
The Housing Continuum
The housing continuum illustrates how different housing options are supported over time. Emergency shelter, transitional housing, and rental housing typically rely on ongoing subsidies to remain affordable year after year. Habitat for Humanity’s work sits at a different point on the continuum: affordable homeownership.
Through a one-time subsidy, Habitat homes are made accessible upfront and then remain permanently affordable, allowing homeowners to build stability and equity without requiring continued public subsidy. This model creates long-term affordability while opening the door for future households to do the same.
How We Build
Habitat for Humanity Seattle–King & Kittitas Counties uses a flexible, mission-driven approach to meet the growing need for affordable housing. Depending on project size and complexity, homes are built through a combination of volunteer-powered construction, subcontracted builds, and partnerships with general contractors.
At Stuart Meadows, homes are built through Habitat-led construction, powered by our on-site construction team alongside AmeriCorps members and dedicated volunteers. Together, this model reflects Habitat’s hands-on approach — blending skilled leadership with community participation to build high-quality, permanently affordable homes in Ellensburg that are designed to last for generations.
Stay In Touch
This community represents what’s possible when affordability, access, and long-term stability are built into the foundation of a community. Whether you’re exploring homeownership, learning more about the project, or seeking additional details, we’re here to help. For questions about this community, the application process, or partnership opportunities, please contact us at apply@habitatskc.org — our team is happy to connect and provide more information.