Affordable housing planned on Viking Avenue

Published 12:28 pm Tuesday, May 17, 2016

POULSBO — Housing Kitsap and Sound West Group are looking at the feasibility of building affordable-rent apartments at 19647 Viking Ave.

The property, just south of North Kitsap Fishline, was once the site of Golden Homes of Poulsbo.

Sound West Group is currently under contract to purchase the property.

“It is a very exciting time but very early in the process,” said Wes Larson, one of the principal partners of the Sound West Group. “We are studying the property’s history and looking at the feasibility.”

Stuart Grogan, Housing Kitsap’s executive director, said, “We are thrilled about the opportunity to work with Sound West Group. With limited resources such as local and state grants, partnerships like these are how new affordable housing projects will be developed.”

The need for affordable housing projects has reached critical levels in Kitsap County, according to housing officials, with low vacancy rates, limited supply and rents increasing by double digits. Poulsbo has been particularly hard hit. Three formerly affordable projects, equivalent to more than 100 units, are either converting or have recently converted from affordable- to market-rate housing, according to Housing Kitsap. These losses put additional pressure on an already difficult market, Poulsbo Mayor Becky Erickson said.

“The City of Poulsbo is working diligently to address the need for affordable housing in our community,” Erickson said. “Thank you to Sound West Group and Housing Kitsap for stepping up and moving forward with this ambitious and much needed plan to provide new, affordable housing on Viking Avenue.”

Grogan feels the site could be terrific for affordable housing.

“It has the right zoning,” Grogan said. “It is located on a major street with access to shopping, entertainment and employment. There are services nearby and the bus. It could be a great location for working single people, families and seniors alike.”

The new development would offer a mix of affordable- and market-rate apartments.

“The market-rate apartments help us balance the books,” said Carli Schmidt, Housing Kitsap marketing assistant. She said these units would remain affordable. “It’s what we’re all about,” she said.

In addition to the proposed apartments, Housing Kitsap is currently helping buyers build their own affordable homes in the Summerset subdivision north of Sonic Drive-in on Viking Way. Housing Kitsap has purchased 30 lots from the developer and is building 10 homes at a time. The project is part of USDA’s Mutual Self Help Program. According to the Housing Kitsap website, this program offers income-eligible applicants the opportunity to own their own homes by participating in groups of eight to 12 families who build each other’s homes, with help and guidance from Housing Kitsap experts. Mortgage payments are subsidized based on total household income, helping ensure affordability.

Housing Kitsap manages, preserves and builds safe affordable housing serving individuals, families and communities throughout Kitsap County. It was formed in 1982 to serve the housing needs in the cities of Port Orchard, Bainbridge Island and Poulsbo. Housing Kitsap currently provides more than 900 homes to low- and moderate-income individuals and families throughout Kitsap, serving more than 2,000 people.

Sound West Group develops and manages real estate throughout the greater Puget Sound. It focuses on multi-family, single family, and commercial projects, in addition to nonprofit community development joint ventures that provide assistance to local community groups and organizations. Sound West Group currently has 300 apartment units and 128 single family homes in development throughout Seattle and the Kitsap region.