At an early April meeting with the Forks Chamber of Commerce, Timothy Dalton, Clallam County’s Housing and Grant Resource Director, sounded the alarm on the growing housing crisis impacting communities from Neah Bay to Sequim.

“You can’t go anywhere these days without hearing about the topic of housing,” Dalton told Forks Chamber members.

The discussion highlighted the mounting challenges in affordability and availability that threaten to displace workers and hinder the region’s economic stability.

County-Wide Concerns

Dalton traced the issue back to March 2022, when Clallam County formed the Housing Solutions Committee. The group includes representatives from economic development councils, local governments, and the North Peninsula Building Association. Their goal: to tackle the region’s lack of affordable and attainable housing.

But what qualifies as “affordable” housing? Dalton cited the common guideline that households should spend no more than 30% of their income on housing. Yet, in reality, that target is increasingly out of reach.

In Forks, for example, the median income hovers around $45,000. That makes it difficult to qualify for a home loan—even for a manufactured home. Meanwhile, lot rents have surged as high as $1,500 per month, and small rental units command similar prices. “There are no $240,000 homes,” Dalton emphasized. “That price point just doesn’t exist here anymore.”

A Vanishing Workforce

One of Dalton’s biggest concerns is the impact on the region’s workforce. “The future looks bad if we can’t house our workers,” he said. “They’ll have to leave, and we’re already seeing the next generation as our biggest export.”

In Sequim, the cost of just land and permitting can exceed $160,000, before a single board is placed. Only a small segment of the population can afford that, leaving critical jobs unfilled. “Sequim needs workforce housing,” Dalton said, noting the growing disparity between long-time residents and retirees who move into the area.

Vulnerable Populations at Risk

The crisis extends beyond the young workforce. Elderly residents are also vulnerable. “One medical emergency can take everything,” Dalton said. “We’ve seen older women lose a spouse and no longer afford to stay in their homes.”

Searching for Solutions

The county estimates Forks alone needs at least 325 new housing units in the future to meet demands. Dalton mentioned that Habitat for Humanity is building 44 units in Sequim. Still, he stressed the need to “trim the margin” of who can realistically afford even subsidized housing.

On the policy front, the Washington State Legislature offered several proposals this session. These include limits on the number of units a person can own, legalizing cottage units, and allowing RVs as temporary housing. There’s also pressure to reduce energy requirements that increase construction costs and to make it easier for developers to find and retain contractors.

Dalton urged the Department of Commerce to take a broader look at workforce housing solutions. “We need housing for all, in all sizes,” he said.

As housing prices climb and the workforce thins, the urgency of the issue is clear. Without significant changes, many in Clallam County may find themselves priced out of their own communities.