Special to The Leader

A trio of Jefferson County-based nonprofits are among the recipients of the state Department of Commerce Housing Trust Fund’s investment of $312.6 million into affordable housing and homeownership opportunities for Washington residents with low incomes.

Bayside Housing and Services was awarded $8,689,116 for Vince’s Village, a new construction project of 19 units of housing for tenant households including one or more people with multiple special needs, and four units of housing for tenant households earning 31-50 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI).

“Vince’s Village will add vital support and stable, permanent housing for some of our most vulnerable community members, while creating opportunities to build community and strengthen our local safety net systems,” Bayside Deputy Executive Director Heather Dudley-Nollette said.

Habitat for Humanity of East Jefferson County received two awards — $880,000 and $564,795 — for two separate affordability subsidies projects, plus down payment assistance, for the owners of 19 Habitat homes in Port Townsend and Port Hadlock.

“This award means 19 more families will raise their children in homes they can afford, where they don't need to sacrifice healthcare or education for housing,” East Jefferson Habitat Executive Director Jamie Maciejewski said. “It's a game-changer for those families.”

“This is obviously really excellent news for affordable housing in our region,” East Jefferson Habitat Board Vice President Brian Cullin added. “The size of this Commerce grant is extraordinary, and Habitat will put it to work in a way that is very in line with its vision. These nonprofits form a natural alliance in meeting the housing crisis here.”

Rounding out the trio, Olympic Housing Trust was awarded $500,000 for Dundee Hill in Port Townsend, a new construction project offering five green-built northwest-modern townhomes situated next to the neighborhood’s community garden.

This will include two townhomes to be sold to households earning 51-80 percent of AMI, and three townhomes to households earning 81-100 percent of AMI.

“Dundee Hill is an ecologically conscious, permanently affordable housing project that will provide home ownership opportunities, while complementing our community’s values and the work of our fellow housing providers,” OHT Outreach and Development Manager Kellen Lynch said.

Commerce’s investment is intended to increase the state’s affordable housing stock by 3,9    13 multifamily/rental units and new homes for low-income homebuyers.

In its press release, the Department of Commerce noted that, in vetting projects for capital awards, it sought to leverage additional local, state, nonprofit and other funding sources.

The total residential development cost of the projects receiving grant awards is nearly $1.5 billion, or more than $5 for every $1 invested by Commerce.

Commerce also stated, “There is an urgent need for affordable housing in communities throughout Washington state. Lack of affordable housing, and sufficient supportive housing options for vulnerable populations, are top contributors to chronic homelessness. It is estimated that (more than) 1.1 million new housing units must be added across Washington state over the next 20 years, to meet projected needs at all income levels.”