The Jefferson County Public Housing Authority voted to apply to the state Housing Trust Fund for an additional $2 million for the Esplanade Gales affordable housing project to address a remaining financing gap. The board approved a resolution to pursue the funding during the meeting.

Staff reported that the project already holds a $3 million Housing Trust Fund award from the prior round and has other committed or requested funding: $1,500,000 from county 1590 funds, $50,000 from county 2060 funds, a $2,000,000 request pending with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (decision expected in December), a $100,000 request to the First Federal Community Foundation (decision expected in November), $26,590 in CDBG from the city of Port Angeles, and a $44,000 CHIPS infrastructure award being pursued by the city in partnership with the housing authority. Staff said smaller awards and local contributions exist, but the project still shows a gap of about $2,500,000; the housing authority will ask the Housing Trust Fund to increase the award to a total ask consistent with the fund’s new $5 million per-project cap.

Board members discussed letters of support. Staff said the current NOFA round is seeking community support from unaffiliated neighborhood individuals and organizations rather than governmental partners or service providers; staff named a few unaffiliated supporters who already offered letters, including a local community member and a Serenity House representative. The board approved moving forward with the application and encouraged staff to solicit eligible letters of community support.

The application deadline is Oct. 16; staff said the Trust Fund typically issues awards in December or January. Commissioners voted in favor of the resolution to pursue the additional Housing Trust Fund request.