Habitat for Humanity of East Jefferson County and project partners officially broke ground on the Mason Street Neighborhood, marking the start of construction on the organization's largest affordable housing development to date. Designed by Schemata Workshop, this 17-acre former grass airstrip will become a collection of vibrant, affordable homes serving the local workforce and community.
In an effort to address the acute housing shortage in the region, Habitat for Humanity of East Jefferson County acquired the 17-acre site, with the goal of creating a permanently affordable, single and multi-family community in Port Hadlock, Washington. The project represents a significant investment by the local community in the future of the community. Mason Street expands homeownership opportunities for local residents while creating a welcoming, walkable neighborhood that emphasizes social interaction and connectivity.
Schemata Workshop, under the direction of HFHEJC & Cap Ex Advisory Group, led the planning and design of a vibrant neighborhood clustered around outdoor amenities and focused on pedestrian connections. We brought together a skilled and collaborative team of design consultants including Parametrix, JETT Landscape, I.L.Gross, Dark|Light, and BCJ Group.
Mason Street Neighborhood features architecture that complements the existing neighboring community and reflects the character of East Jefferson County. Homes include a range of two to four-bedrooms, across duplexes and four-plex buildings. It also incorporates energy-efficient, environmentally-sustainable and low-impact design principles meeting the Washington State’s Evergreen Sustainable Development Standards.
The design prioritizes green space and tree conservation, creating a sense of place rooted in the ecology of the site and the health of the Chimacum Creek watershed. Amenities include community gardens, pocket parks, and playgrounds with both open and forested green areas. Gathering nodes are dispersed throughout the site, while an outdoor community pavilion to host seasonal activities such as a farmer’s market and social events.
The planning preserves and expands on existing nature trails and accessible paths to draw residents outdoors. Sidewalks will connect residents to public transit, the Chimacum Elementary School, and Jefferson County Library. These connections are designed to encourage outdoor activity and foster relationships between future residents and the greater neighborhood. The Schemata Workshop approach to site planning is one that crafts the space between buildings with the same care as the buildings. The design intentionally supports social connection and a thriving, resilient community.
During a moving address by the Executive Director Jamie Macjewski, she pointed to the blue colored flags encircling the site plan sitting atop the drafting table and noted the corresponding number of families that would be housed in this new neighborhood. The red flags represent the number of children who would live in the neighborhood and the yellow flags denoted the number of jobs that would be created in the community as a result of this project. The ripple effect and long-term impact of the project was profoundly felt by all in attendance. This project is more than a construction activity - it is the promise of stable housing and family memories for future generations to come.
The development is the culmination of years of planning and collaboration, and this groundbreaking marks the beginning of a new chapter for both Mason Street Neighborhood and East Jefferson County. As construction forges ahead, the vision of a connected, affordable, and resilient community is moving closer to reality, with its first residents expected to move in by 2027.
Thank you to Habitat for Humanity staff for the opportunity to work together, the design & development team, community members, volunteers, funders, local and national leaders (Senator Cantwell, et al) whose shared commitment and collaboration have made this vision come to life.
We invite you to follow the project's journey on our social media channels and subscribe to our newsletter for updates on construction progress, milestones, and further opportunities to be part of Mason Street Neighborhood's journey.
