There is no question that Kitsap, along with many other communities in the nation, are faced with a severe shortage of affordable housing.

However, the “Tiny House” concept requires a little more thought when considering actual cost of a finished home ready for its occupants, starting with a lot to put it on. County and city ordinances require utilities, and all building codes must be followed, many of which would have to be modified to accommodate the Tiny House.

Added to this mix will be add-on fees such as school and fire district, and subdivision/plat filings and processing costs. Not to be forgotten is the availability of mortgage financing, which carries with it a plethora of rules and regulations needing modifications.

There is a better and more cost-effective way to build affordable housing, which has been well established for more than 30 years and pursued in most states (including Washington) with positive results.

Mid-rise apartment buildings located near inner cities, financed with a combination of federal tax credits, city and county participation and non-profit grants, constructed by knowledgeable builder/developers, and professionally managed under federal guidelines, is the real answer to the housing crisis we are experiencing today.

The process is available to the building and development industry today, as my inquiries to federal, state, county and local governments has proven, but it takes the will of government and the willingness of builders and developers to rise to the challenge.

Mayor Erickson has expressed interest in seeing similar developments take shape in Poulsbo, and there are some plans coming to life as this is being written.

However, the community must get behind this type of program if it is to succeed.

Bill Effinger
Poulsbo