Written by Lura Sheahan, Habitat EJC Board Advocacy Chair
Derek Kilmer, Congressman for the 6th Congressional District in Washington state, met via video conferencing call on August 27th with representatives from the East Jefferson County Habitat. Congressman Kilmer, a strong advocate for affordable housing has been meeting with organizations throughout his congressional district while on August recess while home from Washington D.C.
Executive director Jamie Maciejewski, board advocacy chair Lura Sheahan, City councilwoman and Habitat volunteer coordinator Amy Howard and director of engagement Maria Drury represented our Habitat affiliate with different areas of concern.
Lura inquired on the status of the extension of the Cares Act, which would provide protection on foreclosures and evictions and potentially provide additional funding for non-profits hurt by Covid 19. Congressman Kilmer, while supportive of this bill, let us know it remains stalled due to different policy perspectives by the Republicans and Democrats.
Jamie provided our Representative with an overview of our accomplishments to date: the construction of 50 homes, 31 repairs in Quilcene and Brinnon and eight recycled homes. Our executive director then shared some of the challenges we currently face in our efforts to provide affordable housing for our county residents: the median list price continues to climb. Habitat EJC, along with many other rural affiliates, uses the Department of Agriculture’s loan program. The USDA will not finance homes that exceed the price of $299,000 in Jefferson County, a price that mostly no longer exists, leaving rural buyers unable to access the loan program. Congressman Kilmer offered to investigate this, and his housing staff person is in contact with EJC staff to work on this issue.
Amy Howard, Habitat’s volunteer coordinator, shared that due to the virus restrictions on gathering and the average age of our volunteers, the ability for our constructions crews to utilize volunteers has been extremely limited. She has developed a program with safety standards that will not only assist EJC with construction projects, but also provide a stipend during a year of service for young AmeriCorps workers. Maria Drury concluded our presentation by inviting Congressman Kilmer to join us for a virtual presentation of Habitat’s new strategic plan, and by discussing a potential town hall on affordable housing issues facing the Olympic Peninsula.