Housing Kitsap has purchased a new property on Bainbridge Island to construct up to five affordable housing units.

The new units, located at the former daycare on Cave Avenue, will be workforce housing, providing individuals and families who work on the island, currently commute in, and make less than 80% of the area’s median income, a place to live, per a news release.

Housing Kitsap purchased the property Oct. 21, known internally as “Sally’s Place,” and was made possible by a private donor, a longtime resident of Bainbridge Island. The plan is to turn the existing building into three affordable housing units, with up to two additional units possible in the future.

“This was a very quick and exciting acquisition which the board, staff, and I are extremely excited about,” stated Heather Blough, executive director at Housing Kitsap. “Housing Kitsap would like to publicly thank the donor while respecting their privacy. Housing Kitsap is so fortunate to have this community member identify an opportunity and provide financial support for Housing Kitsap to increase its affordable housing inventory on Bainbridge Island.”

Bainbridge Island City Councilmember Clarence Moriwaki shared his gratitude towards the donor for their “generous gift towards creating a more inclusive community by producing desperately needed affordable housing for people who work on Bainbridge Island but can’t afford to live here.”

Per the Washington State Office of Financial Management, over 198,000 people are facing homelessness or housing instability in Washington State, as the average rental cost has increased by 50% over the last decade. The need is exacerbated on Bainbridge Island due to the high cost of living and access to Seattle via the ferry, the release says. In a survey conducted by the city of Bainbridge Island, 79% of people who work on Bainbridge Island live off the island and commute in.

Housing Kitsap already owns and manages two affordable housing properties on Bainbridge Island. Rhododendron Apartments, a 50-unit development, offers one- and two-bedroom units for low- and very low-income individuals and families. Finch Place Apartments, a 29-unit development, offers one-bedroom units for low- and very low-income residents who are 62 and older or disabled. Both are part of USDA Rural Development.