A group is forming as a non-profit community land trust to acquire land for the development of workforce housing in the Hood River and White Salmon areas.  The Big River Land Trust seeks to acquire land to develop homes at an affordable price and then sells the homes while maintaining ownership of the land.  The Trust’s Anne Medenbach says that takes the land cost out of the home price, making it more affordable for the first time buyer, who would then agree to a limit on how much they would sell the house for if they decide to do so in the future.  Medenbach notes while there is no direct government involvement in the trust, both city councils in Hood River and White Salmon have provided letters of support.  She adds it is a fully volunteer group with no staff, and they are working to finish the paperwork for 501-c-3 non-profit status.  The group is talking with landowners about potential parcels to get them started.