Vashon HouseHold has continued on its process to complete the Island Center Homes project, though progress has been slowed down significantly, according to Executive Director Chris Szala.

Szala expects Vashon HouseHold will break ground on the project in the spring of 2022, and the building should take about 16 months to complete.

Originally, Island Center Homes was slated to open mid-2022, but due to staff limitations at the King County Permits Office, that opening date has now shifted to the end of 2023.

Prices have also surged, delaying the project further. Lumber and labor costs have driven the need for additional funds for the project. Szala estimated Vashon HouseHold will require about $1.8 million more to complete Island Center Homes.

Szala stated that it is a matter of finding county and state resources that will provide the last needed funds. With a project this far along, he does not see Island Center Homes in jeopardy.

The new project will be located at the corner of SW 188th Street and Vashon Highway SW. Vashon HouseHold recently completed the demolition of old structures that were on the property. Szala said they were “very happy to have a very old building down.”

In its place will stand five buildings, which will each house up to eight residents. In total, plans for Island Center Homes now call for 40 people to live at the site.

This is Vashon HouseHold’s newest project and is designed for islanders who are senior veterans, or for those who are experiencing mental illness or homelessness.

The residents in each building would share a common area, kitchen and a small dining area. In addition, residents would have their own private bedroom, bathroom, sink, small refrigerator and microwave. These private units would be up to 330 to 380 square feet in size.

Island Center Homes would also boast rooftop solar panels, a 15,000-18,000 gallon rain bank to collect water for flushing toilets and doing laundry and a community garden on site.

Residents would also have access to a social worker — Vashon HouseHold secured funding for a three-quarter time social worker to support residents who live on the property, especially residents who are coming out of homelessness.

Prospective residents of Island Center Homes must also earn 30% of the area median income in order to qualify to live at the property. Residents pay a third of their monthly income towards rent, and subsidies make up the market rate difference.