Seattle, WA — The Seattle Housing Authority (SHA), Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority (SCIDpda), and Capitol Hill Housing (CHH) announced a joint venture to develop 158 apartments of affordable homes for working families in a location near Yesler, Little Saigon, and the Central District.
“SCIDpda has participated in the redevelopment of Yesler for a decade in a variety of ways, and we have dreamed about having an opportunity to be a part of SHA’s vision,” said SCIDpda Executive Director Maiko Winkler-Chin. “We knew we needed a partner, and are so happy our sibling nonprofit development organization Capitol Hill Housing agreed to work with us. We couldn’t do this project without them.”
The majority of the residential units in the development will be two- to four-bedroom units in order to address the growing need for housing for medium- and large-sized families. Additionally, the development will include an 8,000 square-foot child care/early-learning center to be operated by the Denise Louie Education Center. It will also feature units that can be licensed for in-residence operation of childcare. Other amenities will include common areas for resident gathering and activities; exterior courtyards for the child care/early learning center and community gardens. One thousand square feet of the portion of the building facing Yesler Avenue will be dedicated to community-based commercial/retail services. Thirty-nine parking stalls will serve housing residents and childcare center staff. The project is expected to be completed in 2021, and is the first new construction developed by SCIDpda since 2004.
Once developed, SCIDpda — an organization with a history of providing culturally competent services to immigrant and refugee populations — will be the primary owner and property manager for the project, and CHH will provide asset management services. Throughout the development process, SCIDpda will lead all community engagement efforts. CHH will provide finance and administrative services. Mithun will serve as the architect. This development is made possible through a partnership between SHA, the land-owner and a project funder, and the development team of SCIDpda and CHH. The City of Seattle Office of Housing awarded $6 million to fund the project. SHA contributed $11 million to make this project possible.
“We are excited to be working with two great organizations, SCIDpda and Capitol Hill Housing,” said SHA Executive Director Andrew Lofton. “This alliance brings together organizations that have an understanding of the community, experience in affordable housing and embracement of the vision for Yesler Terrace.”
The development partners recognize there is an urgent need to develop affordable housing for working families in a community where many of the surrounding neighborhoods have been designated as high risk of displacement and high access to opportunity.
“We are honored to be a part of this project; following leaders whose work and passion for this community is without rival,” said CHH CEO Christopher Persons.
Neighboring residents, business owners, and community members are invited to share their input on the project at this link here.
About SCIDpda
The Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority (SCIDpda) is a community development organization whose mission is to preserve, promote, and develop the Seattle Chinatown International District (CID) as a vibrant community and unique ethnic neighborhood. Formed by the community in 1975, SCIDpda works to revitalize and preserve the neighborhood by providing services in three primary areas: affordable housing and commercial property management, community economic development and community engagement, and real estate development. SCIDpda has 40-plus years of experience in increasing neighborhood sustainability through innovative programs and projects that balance development and preservation.
About Capitol Hill Housing
Since 1976, Capitol Hill Housing has worked alongside the community to build and preserve apartments affordable to working families and promote the qualities that make Seattle a vibrant and engaged city. Today, we provide safe, affordable homes to over 2,200 of our neighbors in 50 buildings across the city, while working to make our neighborhoods safer, healthier and more equitable through the Capitol Hill EcoDistrict. Learn more at capitolhillhousing.org.
About the Seattle Housing Authority
The mission of the Seattle Housing Authority is to enhance the Seattle community by creating and sustaining decent, safe and affordable living environments that foster stability and self-sufficiency for people with low incomes. SHA provides long-term, low-income rental housing and rental assistance to 35,000 people in Seattle. SHA owns and operates approximately 8,000 units at nearly 400 sites throughout the city. SHA also administers more than 10,000 Housing Choice Vouchers, enabling low-income residents to receive rental assistance throughout the Seattle housing market. SHA, an independent public corporation established in 1939, is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners, two of whom are SHA residents. Commissioners are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. More information is available at www.seattlehousing.org .
