The Office of Housing announced last week nearly $23 million in capital funding, divvied up amongst eight nonprofit housing developers, to create and preserve affordable apartments throughout the city, including two south-end projects.
“Having housing throughout our community that is affordable to people from all walks of life, people with varying economic situations, is what makes our neighborhoods vibrant and inviting,” said Deputy Mayor Darryl Smith.
“This funding will help hundreds of seniors and people with disabilities remain in their current homes, put roofs over the heads of so many who are currently living on the street, plus provide new opportunities for our hard-working, low- to moderate-wage neighbors.”
Most of the funding comes from the Seattle Housing Levy, which was overwhelmingly approved for renewal by 66% of Seattle voters in November 2009. The awards, the first for rental housing from the seven-year $145 million levy administered by the Office of Housing, are the culmination of a 2010 funding process.
“In this funding round, every dollar contributed by OH will leverage nearly $4 of additional non-city funding. The funded projects represent an estimated total of almost $110 million in capital that will be a major investment in neighborhoods from North Seattle to Capitol Hill to the Rainier Valley, revitalizing the communities and providing living-wage jobs.”
Rainier Valley Projects:
1. Artspace Mt. Baker Lofts Artspace will receive up to $1.8 million for the Mt. Baker Lofts, to be constructed at the former site of a Firestone Complete Auto Care next to the Mt. Baker Light Rail Station along Rainier Avenue South (above).
The project will include 51 units designed to meet the needs of artists and their families with annual incomes ranging from about $18,000-$36,000 for an individual, about $20,000-$41,000 for a two-person household. The project will include set asides for large families and disabled individuals.
With its proximity to Light Rail and bus service, the Mt. Baker Lofts is considered a Transit Oriented Development (TOD), and therefore will have ample bicycle storage in lieu of an automobile parking lot. The building will also include commercial space on the ground floor, plus a large community room with kitchen areas available to residents for exhibitions, performances, rehearsals and community gatherings.
2. Block 43 Mercy Housing Northwest will receive up to $3.9 million for construction of Block 43, a 52-unit affordable workforce housing project at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Way South and South Oregon Street in the Rainier Vista master development.
The units will be affordable to households earning up to 50% and 60% of area median income, about $30,000-$36,000 for one person and $34,250-$41,000 for two. Mercy purchased the site from the Seattle Housing Authority (SHA), which owns and operates Rainier Vista; Block 43 will be part of Rainier Vista Phase II.
The site is located two blocks from the Columbia City Light Rail station, and is next to a bus stop with frequent service on two routes. The project will be integrated into the pedestrian-oriented Rainier Vista community, and residents will have access to amenities such as parks, sports fields, the new Boys & Girls Club, p-patches, a farmers’ market, computer centers and a community center.
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David Green tallies the cars of his neighbors along the Rainier Beach street where he lives.
Who to know, where to eat & what to do in one of America’s most diverse zip codes!
Comment of the Week Goes To…
October 2, 2010
in Opinion
cbo on “Open-Thread Thursday: What’s on Your Mind, Neighbors?”:
The dialogue that occurs here between friends, neighbors and engaged citizens is one of the features that makes your RVP such a valuable community resource. Your RVP does not necessarily endorse the opinions expressed in the Comment of the Week.
Tagged as: cbo, columbia city, Comment of the Week, Iphone jacking, Light Rail
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