By Jessica Dietzman
Building Forward in a Challenging Year
Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County continues to advance affordable housing across the region in 2026. This year has brought meaningful progress, significant challenges, and an urgent need for community support. Even with reduced funding opportunities, our team remains committed to building safe, stable homes for families, seniors, and veterans throughout Clallam County.
Ketchum Veteran Cottages: Completed and Ready for Move‑In
Our Ketchum Veteran Cottages in Port Angeles are now complete, and homeowners will begin moving in soon. This four‑unit development represents years of planning, partnership, and perseverance. We are deeply grateful to James Hardie Company for donating all siding for the project as well as INTERFOR donating all the lumber for the last 12 homes, including this 4-plex, and the tremendous support of Sequim VFW Post 4760 for this build. Their generosity, combined with the hands‑on support of multiple build days with community organizations like First Federal, Port Angeles Coast Guard, and Astound, helped us navigate new multi‑family code requirements in Port Angeles and deliver high‑quality homes for local veterans.
Single Family Home on Hazel Street: Foundation in
Across the street from the cottages, our single family home at 1127 Hazel Street continues to move forward. This three bedroom, one and a half bath home is expected to be completed early next year. Once finished, it will provide a safe and stable foundation for a local family and strengthen our presence in the Hazel Street neighborhood.
Funding Challenges in 2026
This year has been one of the most difficult fundraising periods in the last decade. Individual donations dropped sharply in 2025, including a nearly three week stretch with no donations at all. Clallam County United Way has significantly reduced its giving, and government dollars require prevailing wages and formal bidding processes, which limits how far those funds can stretch.
CHIP funding has also created challenges. Our Sequim Avenue project qualifies because homeowners will purchase the homes while Habitat retains the land through a binding site plan. Lyons Landing does not qualify because homeowners will purchase both the home and the land. This difference has created a funding gap that has slowed progress at Lyons Landing.
Unrestricted donations are more important than ever. They allow us to move quickly, respond to unexpected challenges, and keep construction on schedule.
Two Major Developments Needing Support
Sequim Avenue: 45 Multi‑Family Homes
Sequim Avenue is moving forward, and we expect to begin ground work this September. A contractor is secured, and we are preparing for the first phase of development. Funding remains a critical need as we move into infrastructure work.
Key updates
- ACUP permit received after one year and seven months of processing
- Habitat was required to pay the eight thousand dollar permit fee twice due to timeline expiration
- Current secured funding
- Eight hundred thousand dollars in Federal Community Project Funding through Rep. Derek Kilmer
- Two million dollars in Washington State Commerce CHIP funding in partnership with the City of Sequim
- Estimated infrastructure and development cost: three million dollars or more
You can explore more about this project through Sequim Avenue.
Lyons Landing: 45 Single Family Homes
Lyons Landing has faced unexpected challenges. As we advanced into predevelopment, we discovered significant issues with the inherited site plan. These included incorrect lot layouts and infrastructure that had not been noted on the original plan. We paused development to work with surveyors, engineers, and planners to correct these issues. Once revisions are complete, the project will be put out to bid.
Funding status
- Eight hundred thousand dollars in Clallam County Opportunity Funds
- Five hundred thousand dollars in Clallam County ARPA Funds
- Estimated infrastructure and development cost: three million dollars or more
We will not draw Opportunity Funds until all predevelopment work is complete. This ensures responsible stewardship of public dollars and protects the long term success of the project.
Why Community Support Matters Now
Affordable housing development requires consistent funding, and this year has shown how fragile that pipeline can be. Without reliable support, projects stall, timelines extend, and families wait longer for homes. Every donation, partnership, and volunteer hour directly affects how quickly we can move families into safe and stable housing.
Continuing Repairs and Aging in Place Services
Alongside new construction, Habitat Clallam continues to provide critical repairs and aging in place modifications for seniors and homeowners with limited or fixed incomes. These services help residents remain safely in their homes and support long term stability throughout the county. Funding has been tough for Critical Home Repairs this year, so we are hoping we can increase that and get more homeowners the help they need to stay in their homes.
Photo of a before and after roof we did for a local in Port Angeles who was going to lose their insurance on their house unless their roof got redone! With the help of Integrity Roofing we were able to get them a new roof!
Moving Forward Together
Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County is building forward in a year filled with both progress and challenge. We have homes ready for veterans, a single family home nearing completion, and two major developments that will shape the future of affordable housing in our region. To keep these projects moving, we need the support of donors, partners, and community members who believe in the power of housing to transform lives.