Networking our local housing champions
Welcome to your one-stop-shop for learning about and engaging with housing solutions in Jefferson County!
Here are some of our emerging projects and updates:
- Engage with A Call to Action: Join us at City Council | Help ensure affordable housing is a priority for the City of Port Townsend.
- Read our Recap on All Things ADUs with resources and contacts to help homeowners build their next Accessory Dwelling Unit.
- The Local Investment Opportunity Network (LION) is now working on affordable workforce housing! See info on their Nov. 2nd open forum here.
- Check out upcoming Sanitation + Housing learning series events on our new Sanitation + Housing web page!
- We’ve updated our Mission, Vision, and Values statements to better align with the passion of our network and the needs of our community- take a look!
- Read our recent report on the workforce housing crisis: “Serving our Community Through Tough Times: Stories from East Jefferson County Employers
- Check out our new “ADU Roadmap” brochure on our ADU resource page!
Jefferson County’s Housing Crisis by the Numbers
Jefferson County is the third most unaffordable county in Washington State, following San Juan County.
29% of Jefferson County renters are cost-burdened, paying more than 30% of their income on rent.
Median home prices have increased from $276,600 to $455,900 between 2015-2020; an unbelievable jump of 65% in just five years
The lack of housing is a major barrier to economic development throughout the County. Employers, including the City and County, are losing employees due to housing insecurity.
Housing Solutions Network
Rental vacancy rates hover between 0-1% (the national average is around 7%), so that even those with stable incomes simply cannot find available housing
Washington State Dept. of Commerce
18% of housing units in Jefferson County are vacant, either all year or for a large portion of the year. These are both seasonal and non-seasonal second homes. This lowers the supply of housing and increasing costs for permanent year-round residents.
Housing Action Teams
The backbone of the Housing Solutions Network is our volunteer Housing Action Teams. These teams work independently to achieve shared goals that impact
workforce housing.
Affordable Housing 101
New to the topic of housing affordability? Learn the basics of how housing becomes affordable and find resources on how to learn more.
Stories of Impact
Jefferson County is full of stories of struggle and stories of hope. Here, you’ll find personal stories of those who have been impacted by our housing crisis, as well as those who are making a difference.
Read more about how this is impacting us all at Our Community Challenge.