Clarkston affordable housing project ahead of schedule, first units ready by December 2025

CLARKSTON, Wash. — The Clarkston Family Haven, a collaborative affordable housing project by the Horizon Housing Alliance and Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington, is progressing ahead of schedule. The development, which broke ground five months ago, is expected to have its first units ready for rent by December 2025, with full completion anticipated by the end of the first quarter of 2026.

The project aims to serve families earning at or below 60 percent of the area's average median income. "It's basically driven off of the median income in the community and so these are targeted at the lower spectrum of the income group there in Clarkston," Horizon Housing Alliance Executive Director John Pilcher said.

A total of 72 housing units, ranging from one to three bedrooms, will be available to accommodate individuals and families. The initiative seeks to address the pressing need for affordable housing in Clarkston, where a market study revealed that many residents are priced out of existing options.

"In fact of all the studies we've done it's one of the highest we've seen in all of the state of Washington. So there is a high need in the community and when you have housing instability that's caused by a lack of supply it really impacts all levels of society," John Pilcher said.

Pilcher emphasized that if housing is not met at the lowest levels, it can cause ripple effect on the rest of the community. He believes the project aims to help people in desperation move in a better direction, meeting their needs , "If it's not met by this it's going to be people in less stable situations it's going to cost your community more. America is kind of facing a housing shortage particularly at the mid and lower level and that's who it hits the hardest," Pilcher said.

The $24 million project is funded through federal low-income tax credits administered by the state of Washington and a low-interest loan from the Department of Commerce. This comprehensive project is the largest and newest affordable housing initiative in the valley.

An early interest form is currently available, allowing individuals to receive updates on the development. A formal application process will open at the end of summer on the Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington website. Once completed, Catholic Charities will operate the building, providing residents with services such as job training, health and mental care, and substance abuse assistance. The development is located on Port Drive behind Walmart.