The challenges and opportunities in local housing availability and affordability is the topic for a community meeting set for 9:30-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23, at the Port Angeles Library, 2210 S. Peabody St. Hosted by the Clallam Economic Development Corporation, the meeting brings together community residents with panelists from several area organizations dealing with housing issues.

Entitled “Helping to Hope: Clallam County Housing Access &Affordability,” this symposium is keynoted by Colleen Robinson, Clallam County Habitat for Humanity executive director.

“Colleen will guide those attending through an introductory ‘State of the County’ on housing access in Clallam County,” EDC Executive Director Bob Schroeter said.

“Having Colleen and Habitat for Humanity delivering our forum keynote is critically important, as Habitat does an amazing job right here in providing low-income persons the opportunity to realize the dream of home ownership and purchase a simple, decent home of their own.”

The event also features a moderated discussion featuring panelists representing a variety of community sectors, including: Rep. Mike Chapman, a former Clallam County commissioner; Mary Budke, executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula; Kevin Russell, local builder and first vice president of the Building Industry Association of Washington; Nathan West, Port Angeles director of Community Development; Doc Robinson, Serenity House executive director; Kendra Waggoner, VP CRA/Fair Lending, First Federal Bank; and Emily Grossman, policy lead for housing for the Department of Commerce.

“Two staff members from Peninsula Housing Authority — Sarah Martinez and Debbi Tesch — also will be on hand to share some of the great strides made by PHA in addressing affordable housing options locally,” Schroeter said.

“As a community-based nonprofit association, the EDC has worked in support of the county’s businesses and in promotion of the area’s job growth,” Schroeter said. “An important aspect of that effort involves backing actions and activities designed to provide sustainable access to affordable housing in our community — now and in the future.”

The forum, says EDC Executive Director Bob Schroeter, will focus on two basic topics of interest: Clallam County housing access and county housing affordability.

“We hope to hear from those who have experienced some of the challenges of local housing access and affordability as well as to learn about opportunities for a more sustainable growth going forward,” Schroeter said.

For more about the forum, contact Schroeter at 360-827-5075 or bschroeter@clallam.org.