Are you a homeowner looking to create housing opportunities on your property, but don’t know where to start?

We’d like to help.

Vashon’s housing affordability crisis has been front and center in our minds lately.

Speakers at this month’s housing action forum raised a number of short- and long-term fixes, from a special housing district to greater legal regulations on property owners, to having a deeper philosophical discussion about what we owe each other — and to what degree housing should be protected as a fundamental human right.

These are all weighty topics worthy of discussion. One topic, however, we think we can help address more directly.

We know there are people on the island who have the space to bring others in — that’s why we have efforts like Vashon HouseHold’s Home Share program, which connects homeowners with renters who are willing to help with household tasks in exchange for a reduced rent price.

But there are also homeowners — some of whom spoke at this month’s forum — who have the space and the desire, but just don’t know where to start. There are seemingly endless questions: What’s legal to build on my property? How much will it cost? How do I handle utilities such as septic and water? Where can I get resources to pull this off?

We want to help you answer those questions, and others, in an article or series of articles guiding landowners on how to create housing opportunities on their properties.

To start, we want to hear from you: What don’t you understand about the process? What isn’t clear about the law? What roadblocks do you need help with? What’s been the most challenging part, financially or otherwise?

Or, if you’ve managed to build those spaces: What worked for you? What tips do you have for navigating the legal, financial or logistical challenges? What are the best options for building on a budget?

We want to create a how-to that can answer all these questions, connect homeowners, and share some practical tips for overcoming the cost barriers.

Because of all the solutions in front of us, this is a no-brainer: It’s a win-win for homeowners and renters, and a practical, low-hanging-fruit goal that could ease some pressure while we work toward the more challenging or controversial solutions that the housing crisis may require.

Email us at: editor@vashonbeachcomber.com.