Bayside Housing & Services Celebrates Groundbreaking and Hosts Fundraising Gala
Vince’s Village will add 32 housing units in Port Townsend, while annual gala event raises $325,000.
JEFFERSON COUNTY, WA — On a sunlit Friday in August, a lively crowd celebrated the first phase of development at the Vince's Village site in Port Townsend, Washington. One day later, the celebration continued by the water at the Old Alcohol Plant. Together, these two events mark Bayside Housing and Services’ (BHS) stated commitment to housing, dignity and hope.
A groundbreaking moment for Vince's Village
On August 14, 2026, community members, leaders and partners gathered at 1777 10th Street to officially break ground on Vince's Village, a 32-unit affordable and supportive housing project. BHS has secured $8.68M from the State Department of Commerce, $375,000 from Jefferson County, and $324,766 from the Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program (CHIP) for the project.
Of the 32 units, the project will feature 19 units designed to support households with individuals who have multiple special needs, with the remaining units dedicated to households earning between 31% and 50% of Area Median Income.
As District 1 County Commissioner Heather Dudley-Nollette said, "This is such an incredible full circle moment for me." As a former BHS employee, she witnessed the organization grow from its beginnings to this milestone. "One of the things that I've learned from Gary all these years is to keep that simple idea in front of us; We're about serving people."
BHS Executive Director Gary Keister observed the importance of housing, "Housing is more than four walls and a roof. It's where families gather, where children play and do their homework, and where seniors can age with dignity."
Port Townsend City Mayor Amy Howard and Discovery Behavioral Health Executive Director Scott Blakley joined Dudley-Nollette and Bayside leaders in turning ceremonial shovels, marking the start of construction.
A decade of service
The celebratory spirit carried over to August 15 when BHS held its annual fundraising gala at the Old Alcohol Plant (OAP) in Port Hadlock. With 150 guests attending and a remarkable $325,000 raised, the event featured live music by the Dirk Anderson Trio and a three-course meal. Auction items, including stays at the OAP Penthouse and Starrett House, helped fuel the evening's success.
The highlight came when Governor Bob Ferguson addressed the crowd. Ferguson has made housing a signature priority, and during his first year in office, he emphasized accelerating housing production and investing in affordable homes.
"When I ran for governor, I went to all 39 counties. What issue did I hear the most? Housing, housing, housing," Ferguson said. "Big towns, small towns, red jurisdictions, blue jurisdictions—didn't matter."
Ferguson's administration has backed housing efforts with record investments, including nearly $1 billion for housing in the state's biennial budget and a push to create a Department of Housing at the state cabinet level with Executive Order 25-12.
A commitment to the future
The evening also honored those who made Bayside's success possible. BHS Board President Terry Umbreit recognized the dedicated staff and volunteers whose work underpins the organization's mission.
Keister presented Founders Awards to the individuals whose vision and commitment built BHS from the ground up. Recipients included BHS Vice President Richard Conrad, Secretary Carolyn Eagan and Director Chris Eagan (In Memoriam), Co-Founder and Director Susan Keister (Memoriam), Sharon Lee, Candace Monroe, Director Steve Moore (In Memoriam), Earll Murman, President Terry Umbreit, Vince and Mary Ann Verneuil and Washington State Representative Steve Tharinger.
"10 years ago, what began as an idea—that everyone in our community deserves safety, dignity and a place to call home—was little more than a dream," said Keister.
"Nothing gets me more excited than a groundbreaking or a ribbon-cutting for more housing," Ferguson told the crowd. "Here's to the past fantastic 10 years of transforming lives, and here's to the next 10 years of transforming lives and creating homes across our state."
As Umbreit said, "We're building a better community as we help people experiencing homelessness in Jefferson County. We need your help to realize a better community together, where all of the unhoused are housed."
For more information, visit Bayside Housing & Services.
