Community Survey Report

Individual Responses to Community Survey

Employees Represented Through Employer Survey

A thriving workforce is vital to the character and quality of life that keeps so many of us here in Jefferson County. Like so many places across the country, housing costs have far outpaced local wages. We all have stories of those who had to move away, businesses that have suffered and people who have had to compromise on essential needs, all because of insufficient housing. These are not signs of a healthy community.

Stories are powerful, but operating on anecdotal evidence alone can be misguiding. In an effort to reflect our housing situation with on the ground data, Housing Solution Network conducted a county wide survey to collect data that will be helpful in crafting more accurate housing policy, informing housing development, and seeking housing-related funding.

Presentation Recording

Community Survey Report Presentation October 16th at the Northwest Maritime Center.
Link to Presentation Slide Deck

Video by Foll Exposure x Chasing Candice

Printed Report

Download: Community Survey Report PDF

Survey Storyboards

These data heavy infographics provide background information on Jefferson County, details about survey process and respondents, and key findings.

Key Takeaways

Sprawling single family homes under a free market are failing us – and we know that we can’t continue to build our way out of this housing crisis only focusing on market-rate single family homes, nor can we afford to do nothing by simply maintaining the status quo.

Creating MORE housing will help alleviate the pressures our community feels – but only if we create the RIGHT type of housing. Unless we implement some form of affordability protections, the solutions of today won’t remain affordable for the workforce of tomorrow. HSN will continue to push for the creation and protection of permanently affordable housing protections for all!

Everyone Has a Role to Play

Government Entities can support developments of a multitude of housing types through zoning regulations, density increases, and prioritizing permitting of developments that meet our local workforce’s needs. We can remove cost-prohibitive, nonessential concepts (e.g. aesthetics) from our codes and focus on housing for our workforce in our community.

Local Landlords can price rentals at rates for working individuals and families or consider selling to locally working folks. An equation we learned from the Methow Housing Trust for setting rental prices is Cost + 10%.

Housing Providers can create housing types with desired amenities, offering for either rent or purchase. Providers can adapt Community Land Trusts, deed restrictions and/or other Permanent Affordability models that hold land and homes in protection to ensure long lasting impacts.

Employers can also play a role to ensure security and sustainability for themselves and their employees. They can consider signing master leases, build employee housing, advocate to government officials, offer competitive wages, and create benefits like down payment assistance programs.

Our Community can continue to imagine what could be, rather than what is. Creating affordable housing benefits us all. It supports diversity, embraces our history, and invites more, not less, to the table. Communities can rally around and support affordable housing projects, rent out underutilized space, or sell homes that sit vacant to local workers.

Impact

We are working with local government and non-government bodies on ways our survey data can lead to more informed outcomes or policies. We currently have presentations and/or collaborative efforts set with the following groups:

Port Townsend Planning Department
Port Townsend City Council
Jefferson County Planning Commission
Economic Development Council Team Jefferson
Housing Fund Board
OlyCAP
Jefferson Community Foundation
Engage JC
Jefferson County Historical Society
Usawa Consulting
KPTZ
Kiwanis International
Jefferson County Home Builders Association (JCHBA)
Jefferson County Association of Realtors (JCAR)

Want to grow the impact?

We want to continue sharing this information with our community. If you would like to collaborate or learn more about this project:

Survey Background

Guiding Questions

With the goal of moving past anecdotal stories and filling gaps in state and federal data sources, HSN launched our Community and Employer Surveys with three questions in mind:

What is the urgency of housing needs?
How do housing constraints impact the local economy?
What housing characteristics do community members want in relation to affordability?

Methodology

We wanted a good representation of our community, so for 15 weeks (April 20th to August 1, 2024) we pushed out fliers and emails with the help of our volunteers. We canvassed local businesses as well as all the food banks all the way down to Brinnon and back, and we tabled at farmers markets and other events like the Connectivity Fair.

Our Community Survey was targeted at anyone connected to Jefferson County while our Employer Survey was targeted at employers operating in Jefferson County.