The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Wahkiakum County's Health and Human Services Department is proceeding with a planned purchase of land in Cathlamet's Rosedale area for a housing program.

Human Services Manager Chris Holmes reported Tuesday that the department and land owner had signed a contract for the sale. The county has a 60-day period to evaluate the property and decide if it wants to proceed with the purchase.

In other business at Tuesday's meeting of the board of county commissioners,

--The board authorized Clerk of the Board Marsha LaFarge and Assessor Bill Coons to proceed with plans to implement fees and new rules for handling open space and related property tax exemption programs.

--The board agreed to proceed with steps needed to connect courthouse and Elochoman campus computer systems to new broadband fiber optic lines.

The upgrade, which will require installation of a fiber optic line from SR 4 to the Elochoman campus, will unify the county's computer system and increase its communication speed and capacity, Internet Technology Committee members said.

The Rosedale housing project will help the county deal with increasing housing needs, said Holmes and Community Outreach specialist Terri Howell.

Holmes said housing funding and resources are declining while housing needs are increasing. There is a severe shortage of rental and low cost housing in the county, they said.

Howell said the county's median income has declined from $55,600 in 2012 to $50,200 in 2013. Meanwhile the cost of living is increasing.

Holmes said the group of people needing housing assistance is changing. The stereotypical view is that of a single man, perhaps with an alcohol or related problem. However, current clients include five youth, 11 families with children, and three single adults.

"It's the same across the state," he said. "Youth are marginally housed. Lots are couch surfing, both youth and families."

"I'm shocked at how many people in our county are eligible for assistance," Howell said.

Holmes said the county has had success in its programs, which are aimed at helping people get out of the cycle in which they can't generate the resources necessary to have good housing and good jobs.

However, there is a severe shortage of housing units, and the planned development can address that need.

Commissioner Dan Cothren said he knows people will have concerns about a housing project, but he has seen the need in his travels throughout the county.

Holmes said there will be public meetings to explain the project, which will include rental units and houses for sale.