A Message From CEO Christy Smith
As part of our commitment to transparency, connection, and community leadership, I will be sharing a regular message in our monthly e-newsletter. This space is an opportunity to speak directly with you about the work happening across Clallam County, the partnerships moving us forward, and the challenges and opportunities we are navigating together.
Each month, I will highlight initiatives that reflect our mission, introduce collaborations that are making a difference, and share hopeful steps forward for our community. My goal is to keep you informed, inspired, and connected to the impact you help make possible.
This month, I’m excited to share news about a creative new housing initiative on the North Olympic Peninsula.
Olympic Home Share: A New Affordable Housing Option
I’m so excited to share some wonderful news about a new housing initiative here on the North Olympic Peninsula! Nesterly is partnering with the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce and United Way to launch Olympic Home Share—a program designed to help address our local housing challenges in a creative and community-centered way.
As you know, finding affordable rent in Clallam County can be incredibly difficult, especially for local workers like teachers, healthcare staff, and others who keep our community running. Olympic Home Share offers another meaningful option—alongside organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Peninsula Housing Authority and others—to expand affordable housing opportunities using the homes we already have.
The idea is simple but powerful...
...Connect homeowners who have extra space with community members looking for affordable, long-term rentals (one month or more). This helps renters find stable housing, but also supports homeowners—especially older adults—who want to remain in their homes and may appreciate companionship or a little extra help. This arrangement can lead intergenerational living arrangements that benefit everyone involved.
The program is thoughtfully designed: Nesterly provides a structured and secure platform with mandatory, multi-step background checks for all participants, including a National Criminal Search, Sex Offender Registry check, Global Watchlist screening, and reference checks. They also offer ongoing support throughout each home share, customizable agreements, and even flexible arrangements where rent can be partially exchanged for chores or other services.
The program launched in February of 2026, and the goal right now is to connect with local homeowners so operations can fully get underway.
It’s such an encouraging example of our community coming together to make better use of existing housing capacity and create more affordable options. This program has the potential to make a meaningful difference here, and I’m so excited to see it grow. It feels like a hopeful step forward for our community!
If you’d like to learn more or know someone who might be interested—either as a homeowner or a renter—click the button below or email the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce operations@portangeles.org.