PORT TOWNSEND — Seven months after construction began, the $2 million Dove House will officially take flight Thursday with a grand opening ceremony and public tours.
The nearly 8,000-square foot building at 1045 10th St. will house the Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Program of Jefferson County’s offices and transitional housing for people who have survived such violence.
“This was our holiday present,” said a happy program director, Cheryl Bozarth who, along with her staff of 10 and seven volunteers, moved in Dec. 23.
Final touches being made
The building near Jefferson Healthcare hospital was still receiving some final touches, but will be ready for the opening, which will feature a 2 p.m. dedication ceremony by Port Townsend Mayor Michelle Sandoval with other elected and public officials on hand, Bozarth said.
Public tours will follow.
The brighter, newer facility, replacing the old location off Lawrence Street uptown, houses the program offices and services on the first floor.
A four-unit transitional home, with space for 16 adults and children who are seeking refuge from violence, is on the second floor.
The Dove House will serve as transitional housing between the emergency shelter in Port Townsend — which has a 90-day limit for residents — and a more permanent housing solution in the area.
The facility will serve as a location for individual and group counseling and support, legal advocacy, vocational and educational mentoring and scholarships, budgeting and financial management workshops, case management to help them find permanent housing needs.
The new building is substantially different from the emergency shelter — which is at an unknown location — and is highly visible.
Dove House will allow those in need to stay for up to two years in a safe, affordable housing complex.
Bozarth said the project addresses the critical shortage of affordable housing in the area, which forces some back into an abusive situation.
The Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Program expects to help six to eight additional families each year in the four housing units.
For more information, phone the program at 360-385-5291 or see www.dvsajeffco.org.
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Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.