Habitat has high hopes for new development

Habitat for Humanity of Kitsap County has high hopes for its new proposed housing development on Arsenal Way.

“It’s the biggest project we’ve ever done here and we’re really excited about it,” said Lori Oberlander, executive director.

The development, which is called New Hope, is a townhouse community with parking on the perimeter of the property and a playground and community garden area at its core.

“All of the houses are designed so there will a straight line of sight from the kitchen to playground area,” Oberlander said.

The development’s name has special meaning because it directly reflects on Habitat’s mission.

“New Hope is a cool name and that’s what Habitat offers families a new hope for affordable stable housing,” she said.

The group purchased the property last December and has been working with Bremerton’s Rice, Fergus, Miller Architecture and Planning to develop the project’s design.

“The city has been supportive and has been working with us to make sure we have all of our paperwork done,” she said.

Once the permitting process is completed, the group hopes to start and complete the entire development within a two-year timeframe.

The first step will be doing the road improvements and installing water and sewer lines.

The development will be the group’s big project for the coming year, because of its sheer scope and scale, she said.

“We feel that most people in the community will want to be involved in it because it’s so well planned out and it’s such an exciting project,” Oberlander said.

The group is currently seeking contractors, donors and volunteers for the project.

“We’re planning to recruit churches to be involved, and businesses to be involved. There’s plenty of room in this project for everyone to be part of this project. We want it to be a real community building project,” she said.

In the past, the group has been able to build five to seven houses a year, but this development should increase the group’s building capacity since everything is in one

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.