I am writing in support of the home opportunity fund levy proposed for Jefferson County.

My support is rooted in several compelling reasons, some of which have been elucidated in the pages of this newspaper by community leaders dedicated to improving the quality of life for everyone who lives here.

Notably among these assorted arguments is that more housing will provide much needed rental spaces for lower-income workers who cannot find suitable living quarters for themselves or their families.

One such group of workers are home health care workers, who earn $10 per hour on average. Just last week it was reported in The Guardian that there are 2 million home health care workers across the U.S. and that the workforce has doubled over the past 10 years.

The story also reported that “the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the field will add more jobs than any other occupation by 2024.” Many of those workers are needed here now, and more will be needed as our population continues to age.

Population Trends for Washington published in September 2016 by the Office of Financial Management shows that in the year 2000, there were 5,550 residents age 65 plus. As of last September, that number is estimated to have nearly doubled to 10,690.

That is a staggering 93 percent rate of growth of 65-plus residents in the county just since the beginning of the last decade. How will these residents gain access to the vital services they need for aging in place unless home health care providers are available?

Bravo to the county board and county administrator for providing multiple opportunities for public input on this important issue. As the merits of this levy are debated, let us bear in mind that this is an opportunity not limited to the persons seeking shelter.

KEN BLEYER

Port Townsend