Patricia Herlevi

Similar to Bellingham, Port Townsend prides itself on its progressive political views, except when it comes to ending homelessness with affordable housing options. While Bernie Sanders bumper stickers pepper the City of Dreams, Jefferson County residents fail to recognize that Senator Bernie Sanders rallies for affordable housing. Not to worry because Jefferson County has a five-year plan to end homelessness (2020 – 2024). However, this endeavor requires growing pains that affluent property owners will likely resist.

Current solutions to make housing more affordable for pensioners, disabled renters, and young families such as voucher programs with OlyCap and the Peninsula Housing Authority only solve the affordability problem if private landlords accept the vouchers for rental properties. Yet, prospective tenants on the voucher programs report that some landlords refuse to participate. Even a management company in Port Townsend gave a single mother the run around because she mentioned she had a Section 8 voucher.

The committee to end homelessness in the county, including government leaders, housing experts, and social workers, analyzed the housing stock shortage. They provided statistics in a homeless count versus the number of available affordable rentals. The committee also researched the efforts of other regions which include a change in zoning to allow for ADUs and multi-family homes, as well as permitting tiny villages.

“If fully implemented, by 2024 our county should see an increase of 162 apartments, 30 new Habitat for Humanity homes, 28 safe beds, (16 hostels and 12 respites), 40 safe placements for seniors, 20 RV units for seniors and 20 tiny homes, serving at least 20 individuals…” as it appears in the county’s five-year plan.

The proposal plans to provide host homes for at-risk youth (a large segment of the homeless) and housing for homeless veterans as well as minimum-wage earners not able to cough up the local rents—currently, one landlady offered to rent a bedroom suite for $1,100 and another landlord asked $3,000 rent for a house found on Craigslist.

However, this plan won’t open the hearts of landlords to provide affordable housing or for the affluent to open their wallets to pay higher taxes. I predict that the same rally cry (“not in my backyard!”) that resounds in Seattle and Bellingham will also challenge affordable housing options for Jefferson County. Putting a human face on the problem by sharing stories of the underserved residents, as opposed to mentioning statistics, has a better chance of opening people’s hearts and getting them to walk the talk of progressive politics.

Housing 280-plus people in a rural county poses challenges. However, I suggest multiple approaches from creating intentional communities of town or tiny homes with shared common spaces for upward of 50 people in each community. Build them on community land trusts or with private investors who provide subsidized housing (Langley and Bellingham). Build the bigger apartment complexes (not towers) and hire designers who blend the apartments into the natural surroundings. Change zoning and building codes to allow straw bale homes (Lopez Community Land Trust) which are built quickly. Acquire a roster of private landlords willing to accept rental vouchers for ADUs (rapid re-housing). Waive the parking spot and other red tape to make new ADUs possible. Build work/live spaces for entrepreneurs because they have the potential to earn above minimum wage when fostered in the right environment (CoLab meets intentional housing in Chimacum while increasing transit throughout Jefferson County).

Given the current housing market with unimaginable rents, we hope that the county’s affordable housing proposal comes with teeth. It also helps to elect city leaders who champion fair housing markets in Jefferson County. Innovative design and planning along with ending the stigma attached to low-income renters offer a good start. The remainder consists of an uphill social justice battle.

(Patricia Herlevi is a lifestyle journalist/author/entrepreneur who is on the Section 8 program. She published articles on alternative housing and urban design. )