Bellingham domestic violence housing facility awarded state funding for needed repairs, preservation

Bellingham Herald - 4/6/2024

Apr. 6—A low-income 22-unit housing and support services center for survivors of domestic violence in Bellingham is receiving state grant funding to help make repairs and preserve the facility.

The Washington State Department of Commerce is awarding Dorothy Place$1 million as part of a $19.8 million total investment to preserve 873 affordable housing units in 14 counties across the state.

The funds specifically supported existing Housing Trust Fund properties in need of major repairs or system replacements.

Applications were evaluated based on eligibility and the urgency of physical repairs. Projects with urgent potential health and safety issues that could not self-finance were prioritized, according to a release about the awards from the Department of Commerce.

Dorothy Place had previously received state funding in 2021 to resurface the walkways on the second and third residential floors. When this first repair project was started, deteriorating components of the walkway structures were determined to require a full replacement.

"The project turned from resurfacing to a full replacement and came in this funding round 2023 for the remainder of the funding for the full replacement," Department of Commerce Publications Manager Amelia Lamb in an email to The Bellingham Herald.

"The new replacement included creating a new build system to replace the existing wooden frames and beams with a permanent steel structure that would provide the most cost-effective long-term solution. The new build system will include updated flashing and weatherization barriers to prevent future issues with deterioration as well as bring the building up to code," Lamb said.

The Department of Commerce awarded funding to 31 applicants. Dorothy Place was one of six applicants to receive the largest funding amount of $1 million. It was the only facility in Whatcom County to be awarded funding.

Bellingham's Opportunity Council operates Dorothy Place. The facility offers support services including case management, vocational classes and goal setting in addition to housing.

"Repairs and maintenance costs play a bigger role than ever in preserving affordable housing," said Department of Commerce Director Mike Fong in a release about the awards. "Housing Preservation Program investments are an important way to extend the service of affordable housing that is already available, ensuring these projects can serve communities around the state for generations."

The Department of Commerce estimates Washington State will need to build 1.1 million new housing units over the next 20 years to meet projected population growth and housing demands at all income levels. More than half of those units need to be affordable for residents at the lowest income levels.

By 2044, Whatcom County is estimated to need almost 35,000 new housing units. About 22,000 of those units, more than 60%, need to be affordable, according to previous reporting by The Bellingham Herald.

Bellingham makes up about 48% of the housing production in the county. So the city needs to produce almost 17,000 total housing units to help meet the goal. More than 10,000 of those need to be affordable. To stay on track, the city needs to build more than 500 affordable housing units every year.

Affordable housing is generally defined as housing in which the occupant pays no more than 30 percent of gross income for housing costs, including utilities. Recent federal data suggests approximately 30% of Washingtonians are cost-burdened, meaning they pay more than 30% for housing.

This story was originally published April 6, 2024, 2:00 PM.

___

Visit The Bellingham Herald (Bellingham, Wash.) at www.bellinghamherald.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.