Habitat for Humanity looking to add two homes at Kelly and 13th streets

Columbia Gorge Habitat for Humanity has applied to partition this lot at 800 E. 13th St., The Dalles into two lots of 3,000 square feet each so that two family homes can be built. Low housing stock and high rent have hamstrung many locals seeking permanent housing.

By Tom Peterson

A vacant lot on Kelly and 13th Streets in The Dalles could see two family homes in the near future as Columbia Gorge Habitat for Humanity is working to create more affordable housing locally. 

Habitat recently filed an application with the City of The Dalles to split the lot at 800 E. 13th Street into two lots of 3,000 square feet each.

The property is zoned high-density residential. Property owners within 100 feet of the lot will be mailed notice of the application. 

With the partition, habitat “can put two families into homes,” said Habitat’s Corliss Marsh this morning, April 22. “We’re just trying to help get more housing in this town. Lots are really hard to find.”

Habitat purchased the lot for $60,000 from Wylesha Wilcox in 2019, according to Wasco County Property records.

Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue’s Mark Roth took this photo of the property when fire burned the original home on Nov. 9, 2015. The lot has been vacant since.

The house that originally stood on the property burned down in November of 2015 and was home to the late John Doyle, a houseless person who passed recently at the age of 63. 

Written comments for or against the proposal are due by 5 p.m. on May 5, 2022, in The Dalles Community Development Office, 313 Court Street, The Dalles, OR 97058.

Questions should be directed to Kaitlyn Cook, Assistant Planner, Community Development Department, at (541) 296-5481 ext. 1132, or email kcook@ci.the-dalles.or.us.