Pacific County is particularly challenged to provide a range of affordable housing choices. The demand for housing is increasing both as the county’s resident population grows and wage/income disparity fails to keep up with housing costs. Workforce housing is an increasing concern for area businesses, as are housing and services needs for an aging population and those with special needs or family situational issues. The attraction of Pacific County as a vacation destination both for short-term holiday renters and vacation home buyers further pressures the availability of affordable housing options by reducing housing stock which could otherwise support long-term residential tenants.
One strategy for increasing the housing stock across Pacific County to meet demand from low- to middle-income buyers and renters is to refurbish, replace, or re-purpose existing residential properties that are abandoned, foreclosed, in need of repair or rehabilitation, or only used seasonally. The county has significant numbers of homes that over 50 years old and whose maintenance has not kept up with the region’s harsh climate. In particular, mobile homes – although relatively inexpensive – are notoriously unsuited for Northwest climates. Many of Pacific County’s 2,700 mobile homes are believed to be in need of significant maintenance if not outright condemnation. Identifying properties in need of refurbishment or deserving of replacement is a fast-path to opportunities for investment in new and quality housing on these sites.
Objectives of this exercise include a parcel-identified database of vacant/abandoned/repairs-needed/tax-arrears/ordinance-infringing residential properties in each of four municipalities (Long Beach, Ilwaco, South Bend, Raymond) and in unincorporated Pacific County.