By Pepper Fisher

PORT ANGELES – Congressman Derek Kilmer was in the area Monday to survey the damage caused by landslides and flooding in the November storms. In particular, he wanted to see the big slide on SR 112 near Jim Creek. He also used the opportunity to speak with WSDOT officials about how the new bipartisan infrastructure law might help us address some of the challenges in the future on SR 112, given the fact that crews had just this year finished major work in that same area following 6 landslides a year ago.

It was a busy day for Representative Kilmer, as he also made time to introduce the Tiny Homes for Homeless Veterans Act of 2021, bipartisan legislation to create villages of tiny transitional homes for veterans.

Locally, Matt Rainwater has been leading the charge with his group Pennies For Quarters to build just such a village on land his organization purchased in 2019. Now he’s joined up with CRTC of Port Angeles to build the shell of the homes with an advanced version of carbon and wood laminate products, currently under production.

“You know, I can’t say enough how much I appreciate Derek Kilmer and his efforts on this issue. Derek Kilmer’s office reached out to us a few months back, because they had heard about the work that we’re doing with CRTC, to get more information about what our plans were, how things were coming along. And to know that somebody like him is putting forth this legislation to help projects like ours receive funding, it just means the world to us.”

Rainwater says once CRTC has a model home version of the tiny house completed, folks will be able to get a first-hand look at what they’re planning.

“From what I understand, it’s in the final stages and we should be able to start building, at least the exterior, here shortly.”

If this legislation gets through Congress, and there’s a long way to go, it would not only help to get the Pennies For Quarters village built, but similar villages all over the country. For CRTC here in Kilmer’s district, that could be huge, with the development of their advanced laminate products built especially for tiny home designs.

CEO David Walter said of the new Tiny Homes Act; “We applaud Congressman Kilmer for his leadership in promoting much needed housing that is both durable and energy efficient for those who have served our country and need a hand up.”

(Photo provided by Andrew Wright: Rep. Kilmer, flanked by WSDOT Port Angeles Project Engineer Dan McKernan and WSDOT Olympic Region Administrator Steve Roark, surveys sunken roadway on SR 112 at Jim Creek)

On the left is WSDOT , and on the right is