For close to a decade, Olympic Neighbors has been working to care for adults with developmental disabilities whose families can no longer provide that care, and this year the nonprofit has taken a significant step in that process.

“The state assists with their finances, but typically depends on the families of these people to care for them in their own homes,” said Al Latham, treasurer of Olympic Neighbors. “Past a certain point, though, aging parents simply aren’t able to take care of their adult children.”

To that end, Olympic Neighbors’ goal has been to set up an “adult family home,” named Hamilton House, for six adults with developmental disabilities. Latham reported that the nonprofit found a suitable house a year ago, and has been leasing it “at a low rate” since then, in addition to converting its garage into two bedrooms.

From there, Olympic Neighbors began the licensing process with the state Department of Social and Health Services in May.

“We were told it would take three months from there, but it turned out what they meant was it would take three months before they would look at our application,” Latham said.

Olympic Neighbors has already invested an estimated $30,000 in renovations to the property, since the accessibility standards for an adult family home exceed those of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

“We couldn’t have raised those funds without some incredible community support,” Latham said. “The Kiwanis, the Rotary, United Good Neighbors and our local churches have all pitched in.”

Latham expects he’ll have to continue to call upon the community’s generosity even after the adult family home is fully underway. Even with the state providing two-thirds of its funding, he estimates Olympic Neighbors could be on the hook for as much as $70,000 in funding each year.

“We won’t know the exact amount until the licensing process is complete, and the state determines how much funding DSHS will provide for each resident.”

The adult family home already had a “soft opening” in September, when two of its residents moved in and began paying rent. Olympic Neighbors has hired a site manager, but its full staff is set to include two full-time and at least four part-time staff members.

“And of course, we’ll have opportunities for volunteers to come in and help as well,” Latham said. “We need to provide 24/7 coverage for our residents.”

Although Olympic Neighbors has conducted fundraisers at the Pourhouse and the Hilltop Tavern, those who wish to contribute still have a chance to do so this weekend, during the arts and crafts fair at the Port Townsend Community Center, Nov. 24-25.

“We had someone who donated the crafts they made to us, for us to sell,” Latham said. “Our goal is not just to provide a house, but a real home.”