Nonprofit Housing Resources Bainbridge broke ground on its first development in almost 10 years Aug. 6: a new 18-unit project in the Winslow corridor.
The building, near the intersection of Ericksen Avenue NE and Knechtel Way NE, will feature 12 one-bedroom units and six three-bedroom units, all of which will be for people making at or below 50% of the Kitsap area median income, or about $42,500 per year for a single person and $60,000 for a household of 4. Between funding from the state and Kitsap County, as well as private donations, the project has a budget of about $8.18 million.
“[The Ericksen Community] has been over five years in development, and we are so happy to have this opportunity to honor and celebrate the people and agencies that brought us where we are today. Like any affordable housing development, Ericksen depends on government in the form of public subsidies and local housing policy that makes affordable housing a viable undertaking,” said Phedra Elliott, director of HRB. “But Ericksen is also a testament to a community that understands that it will be all the stronger and more vibrant when we have housing affordable to all.”
The nonprofit’s portfolio has still grown in the last decade, but its work has focused on existing housing, not new construction. HRB has partnered with several market-rate developments around Bainbridge, including the Wintergreen townhome complex, the Oliver apartments on Madison Avenue and the Wallace Way cottages.
This project is a bit more complex than the average development, explained principal architect on the project, Charlie Wenzlau of Wenzlau Architects. The building will achieve the Evergreen Sustainable Development Standard, meaning it is energy- and water-efficient, built with sustainable materials, has careful stormwater management infrastructure and remains affordable.
“Designing a livable home is about good light, healthy materials, and thoughtful site planning,” said Wenzlau. “These don’t need to add much cost to a project if they are considered early on and held as essentials. In general, keeping costs down means doing things simply and keeping a focus on what is important for the residents.”
