Builing a creative focused co-op!

We're the founding team of queer trans people building Rainbow Refuge, a cooperative community in Bonney Lake, WA where 2SLGBTQIA+ folks fleeing hostile states can land safely, get stable, and thrive, not just survive.

What We're Building

Transitional housing (RV/tiny home spots with full hookups). Permanent accessible eco-homes using reclaimed materials. Maker space & workshop center for community-led education & skill-sharing. Business incubators for queer-owned start-ups. Agroforestry & Permaculture food production & workshops. Just to name a few.

We Already Have

Committed founding members personally invested & locally empowered. Land identified & ready for development once secured. 25+ years of community development expertise. Partnership with Northwest Cooperative Development Center and other local organizations. Network of 3 sibling sites ready to replicate this model.

As the new year comes in, we're finishing up establishing our formal organization structure and getting all our legal paperwork done. That way, we can start working on raising funds and gathering resources to bring this all into reality. We hope to have this space open and helping people by mid 2026.

We're intentionally building OUTSIDE traditional systems that haven't served our community. This is by us, for us, owned collectively. No landlords, no corporate investors, no government strings.

So if you're interested, or you think you might know someone who is, please reach out! We're hoping to find more people to take part in the founding of our community-focused cooperative.