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:
- We are hiring! Join our team as the new Network Weaver.
- The Share Our Spaces campaign has launched with five workforce housing solutions- take action today!
- Two new videos released! ‘Workforce Housing: The ADU Solution‘ and ‘Voices of Home-Sharing’ are out now from local videographers, Allison Barrett and Tomoki Sage.
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.
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.
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.
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
Read more about how this is impacting us all at Our Community Challenge.
