BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A new affordable housing complex is up and running in north Bellingham.

City and county leaders gathered with the Opportunity Council last week to celebrate the opening of Cedar Commons near Bellis Fair Mall.

Residents have already started to move in to the new development, which includes 65 units for local families and 70 spaces for children at an early learning center.

It’s the first of a two-phase project taking place on a nearly 3-acre property that the Opportunity Council partnered with the City of Bellingham to buy in summer 2024.

Phase 2 focuses on senior living and is expected to open in spring 2027.

Most of the roughly $60 million project was covered by the Opportunity Council, with additional funding from the City of Bellingham, Whatcom County and state and federal grants.