WHIDBEY NEWS-TIMES: Commissioners may decide Harbor Inn project Tuesday (AUDIO)

Jessie Stensland reports from the Island County Commissioners work session of Jul. 6, 2022.

Following a discussion during a workshop meeting Wednesday, Island County commissioners elected to move forward with making a decision about a proposal to provide $1.5 million in matching funds to the Low Income Housing Institute for the purchase of Harbor Inn, which will be used for supportive and bridge housing. The proposed agreement will be on the regular agenda Tuesday, July 12.

They Said It

Wednesday, Commissioner Melanie Bacon presented the results of her covert mission to investigate other housing projects owned and run by Low Income Housing Institute [LIHI]. The Seattle-based nonprofit organization develops, owns and operates housing for the benefit of low-income, homeless and formerly homeless people in the state.

Bacon made unannounced visits to three LIHI projects in Seattle and Tacoma over the weekend. She said she was impressed by the cleanliness of the facilities and the lack of any litter on the grounds… The commissioner said all the staff members she spoke to were extremely complimentary of LIHI.

“If you reach out for help, LIHI will help you get that,” she said, adding that the trip reinforced her belief that LIHI will be a good partner.

Commissioner Jill Johnson said while turning a Freeland motel into housing may be a financially responsible way to help fill a need in the community, she asked whether it was the highest and best use of the property from a more general standpoint. She pointed out that while there are many areas zoned for residential use in the county, the sites for hotels and motels are limited.

“I think that’s a question we need to answer and we haven’t talked about,” she said.

Bacon conceded that she would prefer to have the motel remain, but she said it’s just not an option. She said a group of Freeland business people met with the owner of the Harbor Inn and talked about the possibility of purchasing it and continuing to run it as a motel, but it didn’t pencil out. They learned that the motel is busy two or three months a year, but there’s just not enough visitors to support it the rest of the year.

“My preference would truly be to continue as a hotel, but that’s not on the table,” she said, adding that the owner can’t be forced to keep it.

Johnson addressed the funding of the county’s matching grant, which would come from document recording fees. Under state law, she pointed out, the funds can only be used for projects to address low-income housing and homelessness.

“People write on Facebook with their own facts, despite having this explained to them,” she said.

The county funds would match LIHI’s state grant, which is specifically for converting hotels into low-income housing.

She said people who don’t like the restrictions on the use of the funds shouldn’t direct their ire at the commissioners but should instead contact their state lawmakers.