HomeMy WebLinkAboutHabitat EJC Jefferson County Housing Fund Grant Report - 2026 Critical Home Repair
Jefferson County Housing Board
2026 Grant Report for Critical Home Repair
Habitat for Humanity of East Jefferson County leveraged funding from the Jefferson
County Housing Board to support its growing Critical Home Repair Program. This
program focuses on repairs that directly impact the health, safety, and long-term stability
of homeowners. We prioritize projects that can help residents remain safely in their homes
for at least five more years and may assist with heating and cooling systems, clean water
systems, roof repairs or replacements, exterior painting that protects homes from
deterioration, and more.
The combined support of Jefferson County Housing Fund Grant and other funding
enabled our organization to undertake fourteen (14) repair projects throughout Jefferson
County. These projects included repairs to front steps and entryways, roof and siding
maintenance and replacement, exterior painting, bathroom completion, accessibility
improvements such as wheelchair ramps and grab bars; electrical work and water damage
remediation.
The demand for critical home repairs is growing in Jefferson County. The cost of the
program surpassed $130,000 this year. A key lesson learned is the significant country-
wide need for critical home maintenance and repairs, particularly among senior, low-
income residents living in the South County. As housing and maintenance costs continue
to rise, we expect more homeowners to rely on this program to address essential home
safety issues.
Below is a table summarizing the repairs completed in 2026, including total cost, location,
and the Area Median Income (AMI) of our program beneficiaries.
Nº Repair Type
Participant
AMI Cost Location
1
Removal of dead trees
threatening integrity/safety of
roof
$5,406 South County (Brinnon)
2
Installation of ramp on front
porch for homeowner
accessibility
47% $9,075.11 Port Townsend city
limits
3 Repair of damaged siding 25% $4,315.25 Port Townsend city
limits
4 Bathroom repair, including
installation of plumbing 27% $23,268.85 South County (Brinnon)
5 Roof repair 26% $11,610.88 South County (Brinnon)
6 Roof repair 60% $15,946.08 Mid-County
7 Installation of new water
service 33% $13,148.14 County
8 Installation of new furnace,
deck repair 71% $3,571.47 South County (Brinnon)
9 Roof repair 47% $13,073.63 Port Townsend city
limits
10 Septic system repair $4,952.96 Port Townsend city
limits
11 Bathroom repair, installation of
new shower
$9,401.68 Port Townsend city
limits
12 Repaired rotting bathroom
subfloor 41% $4,114.14 Mid-County
13 Installation of accessibility
ramp onto front porch 21% $2,568.96 Mid-County
14 Repair of rotted subflooring in
kitchen 22% $10,136.61 South County
(Quilcene)
TOTAL $ 130,589.98
*Source: Habitat for Humanity EJC Repairs Sheet FY 2026
In Repair #8, our team met three elderly South County residents who live together to pool
their resources and support each other as they age in place. Their home had become
increasingly difficult and unsafe to live in. With a nonfunctioning heating system, they
relied on space heaters in their bedrooms as their only source of warmth, often remaining
confined to those rooms during colder months. Their challenges were compounded by a
severely deteriorated exterior deck. One resident had previously fallen through the rotting
boards and injured her leg, while another, who uses a wheelchair, avoided the deck
altogether out of concern for his safety.
Through Habitat for Humanity of East Jefferson County's Critical Home Repair Program,
we replaced the home's furnace and restored a reliable heating system, bringing comfort
and security back to the household. To help the homeowners manage project costs, we
also assisted them in navigating their home insurance coverage and accessing available
resources. In addition, we repaired the exterior deck by replacing rotted boards and
reinforcing the structure to make it safe and accessible once again.