Supporters of an effort to find affordable housing for Clallam County’s developmentally disabled adults agreed to start a fundraising campaign on June 25.

Members of Clallam Mosaic’s Housing & Good Life Committee set the goal to raise $500,000 by Oct. 31 to help purchase property possibly in Sequim that could host housing, classrooms, a multi-purpose room for Mosaic activities and an Alzheimer’s unit for some of the hundreds of developmentally disabled adults living on the Olympic Peninsula.

Missy Rief, chairman of the Housing & Good Life Committee, said the facility could be built over a few phases and its order depends on funding and which adults apply to live at the village.

Scott Schaefer, president of Mosaic’s board of directors, said organizers met with more than 40 supporters at a town hall meeting on June 25 in the Sequim Transit Center where they decided to soon finalize a business plan, initiate the first fundraiser and seek approval from government authorities.

Brad Collins, a housing committee board member, previously said organizers want a self-contained village concept so people can do a lot of things within their own village. Rief said the total project may reach up to $16 million but they are seeking federal, state and private grants to offset costs, too.

Mosaic Executive Director Priya Jayadev reports Clallam County has 413 individuals with developmental disabilities living in the area, and 260 of those using the Developmental Disability Administration, an in-home assistance department of the Department of Social and Health Services.

Another 41 people are on a wait list for services.

Following the Sequim meeting, Clallam Mosaic hosts another town hall meeting about the project at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, in the Port Angeles City Hall Council chambers.

For more information about Clallam Mosaic and the project, see www.clallammosaic.org, call 565-6414, 681-8642 or e-mail 4housing@clallammosaic.org.