POULSBO — After two days without power and not being able to shower or cook a hot meal, it would have been easy for Bob Stanley to find a warm seat in a restaurant or hotel to hole up in.

But instead of taking it easy, Stanley joined the rest of the 30 families and volunteers building their own homes as part of the Kitsap County Consolidated Housing Authority’s self-help program’s Vetter Homestead development in Poulsbo.

“You don’t see many 82-year-olds doing this,” Stanley said with a laugh as he helped raise a wall on another family’s home.

Stanley is part of one of three 10-family groups building the first 30 houses in the development.

“I’m surprised that it can be done,” he said. “They’ve built a 1,000 houses this way.”

With only two on-site project managers, all of the families are pitching in to make their dreams of homeownership a reality, he said.

“They tell us we’re going to be done by the end of February. It’s going to feel real good,” he said.

Unlike most of the other families, Stanley is seemingly alone in his quest to build his own home. But that apparent dilemma has expanded Stanley’s family as volunteers have stepped in to help him put in the required 30 hours weekly on the project.

“We have some exceptionally good volunteers who help us. They’re very skilled,” he said.

Even though his home right now is comprised of nothing more than a concrete foundation, Stanley is committed to continuing down the path toward homeownership he began five years ago.

“I was a little more agile then, than I am now,” he said.

After responding to a small ad in a newspaper, Stanley said he’s glad the wait is finally over.

Despite the less-than-ideal weather that has created additional challenges for the project, Stanley said he hopes the worst of it is over, so he and his son can move finally move into their new home.

For KCCHA executive director Norman McLoughlin, Stanley is an example of the wide range of people served by the housing authority as it works to provide affordable homes throughout the county.

“The wonderful thing about KCCHA’s Self Help Homeownership Program is the opportunity it presents to all participants, regardless of race, age, sex, religion or ability to build their own character and self-esteem, as well as their own homes, and most of all, their own community,” McLoughlin said. “The bonds that are forged with their new neighbors are stronger and more powerful than in any other community. This bond dissolves any prejudice or stereotypes, and allows for a more diverse community.”