PORT TOWNSEND — Most of the more than 100 people who attended a public hearing on a proposed property tax levy agreed that Jefferson County has a housing crisis, but many did not think a tax was the best solution.
The Monday night hearing was meant to collect public input on whether to put a proposed levy to fund the Housing Opportunity Fund on the Nov. 7 general election ballot.
“We are in the middle of a full-blown housing crisis,” said Port Townsend City Councilman David Faber. “To those of you who say we need economic growth and jobs, we are losing people who already have jobs because they cannot afford to find stable and affordable housing.”
Faber said he has friends with good jobs in the county who may leave because of a lack of housing. He added that when he tried to move his mother closer to help her though cancer treatment, he couldn’t find place she could afford to stay near Port Townsend.
“We need homes for people now,” Faber said. “We cannot wait for a perfect solution. The future of Port Townsend really does depend on it.”
Many said county regulations make building in Jefferson County a time-consuming ordeal.
“You, the government, and your minions are the problem,” said Bonnie Broders of Port Townsend.
Broders said she has struggled to build a home in Port Townsend due to the amount of fees and paperwork required for a project.
“You are the reason housing costs so much, and you need to be the solution by reducing your fees and loosening your regulations and helping out,” she said.
Building regulation was echoed by a number of community members throughout the 3½-hour meeting, as was a need for more jobs.
“To me, this would be a Band-Aid on a significant problem,” said John Cook of Quilcene. “To me, the pathway is jobs.”
While a number of community members spoke at the public hearing, many more have submitted written testimony online. Written testimony will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. today and can be submitted online by emailing jeffbocc@co.jefferson.wa.us or mailing, postmarked by today, to P.O. Box 1220, Port Townsend, WA 98368.
The county commissioners will deliberate the issue at a meeting that begins at 9 a.m. Monday in commissioners’ chambers at the Jefferson County Courthouse, 1820 Jefferson St., Port Townsend.
Commissioners must approve the ballot measure by Aug. 1 for it to be on the November ballot.
The measure would need a simple majority to pass and would authorize a property tax levy of 36 cents per $1,000 of assessed value.
The seven-year fixed levy would be expected to raise $1.9 million per year, or $13 million to $13.9 million over seven years, which would go toward the Housing Opportunity Fund, which would help fund housing projects for low-income community members.
The ballot measure also would declare an emergency housing shortage in Jefferson County, which currently has a vacancy rate of roughly 1 percent.
Those who spoke in favor of the levy included members of local organizations such as Olympic Community Action Programs (OlyCAP), Habitat for Humanity of East Jefferson County and Dove House, which have all previously endorsed the levy.
“Habitat’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live,” said Nils Pederson, president of the local chapter.
“The need is now so much greater than Habitat and other organizations can address.”
Kathy Morgan of OlyCAP said that in the past year, the organization has turned away more than 100 families because they simply couldn’t find homes to place them in.
“I am a homeowner, and if this comes to a vote, I will vote yes,” Morgan said.
Other community members stressed that the levy would help vulnerable populations such as the homeless, veterans and the elderly, as well as young families or service industry workers just trying to get by.
“We have a problem, and it’s not just for our low-income community or victims of domestic violence or sexual assault,” said Beulah Kingsolver, Dove House executive director.
“Several people have said this is a Band-Aid, and maybe it is, but it’s a start. I’m a homeowner and a single mom, but maybe I give up a latte once a month or a beer. That’s all it takes to put someone into a home.”
A number of community members disagreed with the levy on several points, raising issues of over-regulation and jobs — or simply stating opposition to a new tax.
“This is just another burden,” said Sandy Humphrey of Port Ludlow. “I hate to see this beautiful little town of Port Townsend change.
“Maybe just go where you can afford to live rather than ask someone who has worked for their whole lives to pay for your housing.”
A levy might not be the best way to handle a lack of housing, said Dan Nieuwsma of Port Townsend.
“Is this the right measure, or is it just a feel-good measure?” he said.
Other criticisms included the levy’s requirement that any housing project funded by the Home Opportunity Fund be guaranteed affordable for 40 years. Some expressed concerned that the fund’s money could go to private developers who, if housing prices increased enough, would no longer have an incentive to keep the homes they built affordable.
“Why the 40-year term limit?” asked Norm Norton. “They should be affordable in perpetuity so our kids don’t have to do this same thing years from now.”
More information on the proposed levy, a full version of the proposal and the PowerPoint presentation used by County Administrator Phillip Morley are available on the county website, www.co.jefferson.wa.us.
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Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Cydney McFarland can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 55052, or at cmcfarland@peninsuladailynews.com.
