HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter of Support for Recompete Workforce Housing Vouchers
Office of the
Port Angeles City Council
July 31, 2026
Viola Ware, Director of Housing and Community Development-Olympic Community Action Programs
228 W 1st Street
Port Angeles, Wa 98362
vware@olycap.org
Subject: Letter of Support – North Olympic Peninsula Recompete Coalition, Award Modification
Request for Olympic Community of Health to Include Housing Voucher Pilot
Dear Director Ware,
The City of Port Angeles is writing to express our strong support of the proposed Award Modification
Request submitted by Olympic Community of Health (OCH). On the North Olympic Peninsula their role
through the Recompete Coalition is to remove barriers and to establish a targeted housing voucher pilot
within its Recompete award.
Stable housing is often the deciding factor in whether a job seeker can successfully obtain and maintain
employment. Individuals seeking employment or participating in job training programs lose momentum
when housing falls through. Housing affordability is an extreme challenge and barrier that can undo
months of progress towards employment goals. Conversely, when individuals secure stable housing, they
can more consistently attend interviews, complete job training programs, and sustain new employment
over time.
Available data from the first 18-month of implementation of Olympic Connect support this, as housing is
cited among the top barriers and there are very limited federal, state, and local resources available to meet
the needs. There is a real and documented gap housing resources.
The City supports the structure proposed by OCH: a time-limited, eligibility restricted pilot that preserves
already limited available resources while providing a new resource avenue for those completing a job
training program to ensure success. This pilot not operating in isolation is key, and the wraparound
services approach reflects what we have seen to be successful in other programs. As a Council, we have
taken the following actions to support local housing and development:
• Ordinance #3760 on December 16, 2025, the Port Angeles Planning Commission recommended
adoption of this 2025 Housing Action Plan Periodic Update.
o Housing Action Plan | Port Angeles, WA - Official Website
• The City Council adopted Ordinance 3655 authorizing a Sales and Use Tax for affordable
housing in the amount of 0.1%. This initiative was passed by voters and took effect on April 1,
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Page 2
July 31, 2026
Re: Letter of Support – North Olympic Peninsula Recompete Coalition, Award Modification Request
for Olympic Community of Health to Include Housing Voucher Pilot
2020. Affordable Housing Sales and Use Taxes are collected upon the transaction of all retail
sales inside the Port Angeles City limits. Affordable Housing Sales and Use Tax Grants must be
used to assist with constructing, procuring, and stabilizing affordable housing and housing-related
assistance programs.
o Affordable Housing Sales and Use Tax Grants | Port Angeles, WA - Official Website
• New Improvement for Community Enhancement (NICE) Neighborhood Grants were adopted by
Port Angeles City Council Resolution No. 5-04 on April 6, 2004. NICE Neighborhoods Grants
can expand the City’s tax base through strategic, public capital investment in infrastructure for
areas with high development and redevelopment potential. New investment and reduced
infrastructure barriers can spur further development and redevelopment, therefore expanding the
potential tax base of the City of Port Angeles.
o NICE Grants | Port Angeles, WA - Official Website
• Ordinance 3710 amended the residential zoning to allow for more mixed uses and density.
• Ordinance 3758 adopted the Vision 2045 Comprehensive Plan where housing affordability and
accessibility are key aspects of the Housing Element.
o Vision 2045 Implementation | Port Angeles, WA - Official Website
• Resolution 12-23 created the fee waiver program. As part of the City's effort to encourage diverse
and accessible housing development, the Port Angeles City Council has approved an ordinance
eliminating 26 building permit fees for 16 housing types. The now codified Fee Waiver Program,
approved on November 8, 2023, and effective January 1, 2024, is an initiative designed to
incentivize the development of infill, multifamily, and affordable housing units in Port Angeles.
The City aims to reduce financial barriers and make development more accessible for residents,
builders, and developers alike.
o Building Permit Fee Waiver Program | Port Angeles, WA - Official Website
• Ordinance 3761 allows co-living housing.
• Ordinance 3618 created the MFTE program.
o Multi-Family Property Tax Exemption | Port Angeles, WA - Official Website
• At the May 21, 2024 meeting, council approved a $740,000 Sales and Use Tax grant for the
Northview development and $100,000 in NICE grants.
The voucher program will further compliment these important City initiatives. We are interested to see
outcomes from this pilot’s evaluation and contributing to documenting the relationship between housing
and employment. We urge the U.S. Economic Development Authority to approve implementation of this
innovation pilot. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Kate Dexter
Mayor
Cc: City Council
Nathan A. West, City Manager
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