PORT TOWNSEND — A two-story apartment building has been floated on a barge from Victoria, B.C. through the Strait of Juan de Fuca to its new home as affordable housing in Port Townsend.
Multiple news outlets reported the four-unit structure will be ready for renters in several months thanks to the city and Olympic Housing Trust.
The Port Townsend City Council approved a loan to the Olympic Housing Trust for the moving expenses — expected to be $210,000 — at a meeting in April. The council donated the land.
Housing Trust spokesman Mark Blatter says new construction would be more expensive than moving the building from Canada.
The 900-square foot units will be rented for up to $1,100 per month including utilities and will be open to households making roughly $36,000 to $52,000 per year.