Hi. My name is Layne Morrill. I am 70 years old. I am a husband, a dad, and a grandpa.

By the end of middle school I knew exactly what my career would be – a lawyer. At 26 I became one. And I remained one -- in Phoenix, Arizona for more than 40 years. My practice included business law, business taxation, and estate planning. I was fortunate to have amazing clients who needed challenging and satisfying legal work.

Now, I am doing something I never thought I would do. Not in my wildest dreams.

• I left the desert metropolis for a picturesque village in a temperate rain forest -- Yachats, Oregon. Population 725.
• I am the president (and a founder) of Our Coastal Village, Inc., a tax-exempt charity.
• For the last ten years we have been addressing the need for safe, decent, and affordable housing for the workers at our local motels, restaurants, and shops, near their places of work.

 

I tell people I am an “accidental” developer of affordable housing. I never expected it. Not in my wildest dreams.

• In 2007, we persuaded Cascade Housing Group, a Portland affordable housing developer, to plan its next project in Yachats; and we developed and sold them the site where they built Fisterra Gardens Apartments (FGA), a 25-unit affordable apartment development completed in 2009. There is a waiting list for occupancy.
• In 2012 and 2013 Our Coastal Village built Aqua Vista Square (AVS), a 7-unit affordable townhouse development. Three units have been sold; four are rented and have been 100% occupied since completion.
• In 2018 and 2019 Our Coastal Village constructed Fisterra Gardens Townhomes (FGT), a 21-unit affordable townhouse development. The $6.3 million cost required that we access many different public and private funding sources. It has been full since completion.

 

My second career – the one never dreamed of – has required that I work closely with many city, county, and state officials. I have engaged with philanthropists and their private foundations seeking and obtaining grants for our projects. I have completed the underwriting process with banks and with sponsors of tax credit investment funds. I have retained consultants, surveyors, architects, engineers, lawyers, construction contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, construction managers, landscapers, rental managers, and many others. These collaborations have been stimulating.

But most importantly, I have met moms, dads, and kids. Families who have just moved out of the overpriced, substandard housing they have known for decades. Families who have just moved into a safe, decent, new home they can afford in the town where they work. It is an opportunity they never expected – not in their wildest dreams.

When peoples’ wildest “non-dreams” come together, the result is – Awesome.

Check out our new website. Read about our mission and history. Look at our projects. If you can help us do more, please go to our Donate and Grants pages.