Winter Color

As I walked in a light rain today in Fairhaven, doing a few seasonal errands, my eye was caught by the bright colors on this colorful plant and the galvanized metal water troughs beyond, used as planters.

Several of them held still-green plants, including rosemary, kale, and other hardy greens, which contrasted nicely with the warm red tones of the building in the background. That's Chuckanut Square, one of three apartment buildings owned and operated by the Bellingham Housing Authority, providing affordable housing for low income elderly and disabled people, who pay one-third of their income for rent (utilities are included).

There are 101 "residential units" at Chuckanut Square, many of which have views of Bellingham Bay and the Cascade Mountains. Sixty-six are studio units (one room for living/sleeping/eating, plus bathroom), and 35 are one-bedroom units.

Accessible gardening in individual planters like these are also found at Bellingham Housing Authority's other two apartment buildings in local neighborhoods. Together, the three buildings provide 396 residential units and a higher quality of life than might otherwise be possible for their residents.

I'm looking forward to what these planters will look like in July!