Funding would cover 16% of projected cost

Clallam County commissioners are considering a $2 million allocation from the chemical dependency/mental health fund to Peninsula Behavioral Health’s new supportive housing project, Northview.

“I’m strongly in support of this, so I’m excited to see this moving forward,” Commissioner Mike French said at the commissioners’ work session on Aug. 26.

Northview, a 36-unit multifamily permanent supported housing facility, will be designed to provide wraparound housing services to individuals with behavioral health challenges.

Nineteen of the units will be reserved for individuals who make 30 percent of the area median income (AMI) and 15 will be for individuals with 50% AMI.

The remaining two units will be reserved at market rate for individuals who have significant mental health situations but too many resources to meet the low-income requirements.

The building, which will be on Second and Oak streets, will be pet friendly and have some ADA-accessible units.

Peninsula Behavioral Health’s Chief Executive Officer Wendy Sisk said PBH is predicting the project will house 40-60 people.

“This will be a very well-built building that will last our community for generations to come,” Sisk said.

This project is estimated to cost about $12.75 million, Sisk said, or just less than $450 per square foot.

So far, PBH has raised about $3.8 million for the project.

Other funding sources include $1.85 million from House Bill 1490 funds and HB 1506 funds, allocated from Clallam County, plus $740,000 from the city of Port Angeles, $25,000 from First Fed, $200,000 from an America’s Foundation grant, $750,000 from a local family, an Enterprise Foundation Grant and more.

“We have a really nice blend of funding,” Sisk said.

PBH currently is applying for $5 million of Apple Health and Homes funding from the state Department of Commerce.

“Our intention is to move forward whether we get [department of] commerce funding or not,” Sisk said. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way, and we’ll find the resources. Our community needs housing.”

Sisk said PBH is hoping to take the project to bid at the end of the month, to break ground by the end of the year and to complete the project by January 2026.

The three commissioners will vote on the $2 million in funding on Sept. 3.