North Olympic Regional Veteran’s Housing Network (NORVHN) was notified last December that they would be receiving $876,293 from the Washington State Department of Commerce 2020 Modular Housing Awards.

This grant allowed NORVHN to have a stick-built 7-bedroom modular home constructed by Timberland Homes of Auburn, Washington. That construction is now underway and is expected to take about three months.

Hobucket House will be built onsite in Auburn, dissembled, transported to Forks via trucks and then reassembled in Forks on a concrete foundation. Once reassembled in Forks move-in is expected about 2 weeks after the house is delivered.

NORVHN has been working on this project for nearly three years and will honor one of their founding Board Members James Hobucket, who was a tireless advocate for Veterans on the West End of Clallam County. “Jimmy” was a Vietnam Veteran, Service Officer and Quileute Warrior.

“Jimmy was not only our friend, but he was a consummate voice for healthcare for all Veterans on the West End,” Executive Director Cheri Tinker said, “he drove Veterans to medical appointments with his own time and gas and made sure that they were cared for. Our Board feels that we are honoring Jimmy and his dedication to his fellow brothers and sisters in arms through this project.”

Hobucket House will be located on Ash Avenue across the street from Sarge’s Place shelter on property which NORVHN already owns. This 7-bedroom, 6-bathroom communal-style home will permanently house vulnerable aging Veterans who have been homeless and are exiting Sarge’s Place shelter.

There are currently 7 Veterans slated to move into Hobucket once construction is complete. This house will be shared living space with a live-in House Manager and wrap-around services of a Social Worker and Case Manager, as well as caregivers within our community from Concerned Citizens.

Site work to include electrical, water and sewer, and the pouring of a concrete foundation was planned to occur with Clear River Construction & Design in May 2021. Like everything, there have been COVID delays.

NORVHN has been grant writing and fundraising for the build and site work but will need support to purchase household furnishing for the house to include a new couch, washer/dryer, tables, dressers, beds, bedding, kitchen supplies and household items at a cost of nearly $30,000.

If you’d like to make a donation you may send it to NORVHN at 250 Ash Avenue, Forks, WA 98331 or www.SargesVeteranSupport.com and signify that it is for Hobucket House.

Once built, the Veterans’ rental amounts will be 30 percent of their income (typically $200-400) a month and this will cover the costs of the repairs of the house, the electricity/water/power/garbage/sewer and Case Management and Social Worker therapeutic care attached to Hobucket House.