Housing levy to fund 271 units for lower-income households

SEATTLE—Mayor Greg Nickels last week announced the first $6 million allocation of funding from the voter-approved 2002 Seattle Housing Levy. The allocation will support six housing development projects that will build 271 apartments for lower-income households throughout the city.

The $6 million will be combined with another $2.6 million in federal and other housing funds for a total funding package of $8.6 million.

"In spite of the worst recession in three decades, voters approved the Seattle Housing Levy last fall, telling us they care about affordable housing in the city," Nickels said. "These units will provide housing for the city's working poor, very poor and homeless individuals and families. The levy is truly making a difference in people's lives."

Almost all of the units in the six housing development projects receiving funding will be for households making less than 50 percent of the area median income—individuals with an annual income below $27,250 or families of four with a household income below $38,950. Most units are for individuals or households at even lower income levels, below 30 percent of median ($16,350 for an individual; $23,350 for a family of four) or for homeless individuals or families.

Voters approved the $86 million, seven-year Seattle Housing Levy last September. The rental preservation and production program is designed to build 1,522 rental units over seven years in neighborhoods throughout Seattle.

The affordable housing development projects receiving funding are:

• Denny Park Apartments, South Lake Union. 50 units. A new building for individuals and families. Denny Park Apartments will include transitional units for homeless families. Developer is Low Income Housing Institute.
• Pantages Apartments, Capitol Hill, 49 units. For families transitioning from homelessness. This development will renovate an existing building, and construct a new apartment building adjacent to it. Developer is Capitol Hill Housing Improvement Program.
• Pine City Inn, Southeast Seattle, 42 units for transitional housing with support services for homeless individuals and families. This is a renovation of a former hotel. Developer is Low Income Housing Institute.
• Compass Center, Pioneer Square, 102 units. This building was damaged in the Nisqually earthquake, and this project involves both renovation and new construction. Developer is Compass Center.
• Judkins Park Apartments, Judkins Park, 16 units. This will be a new apartment building for families, with some transitional units for homeless families. Developer is Housing Resources Group.
• Parkview Provail, Northeast Seattle, 12 units. These are group homes for developmentally disabled individuals. Developer is Parkview Services.

Office of the City Mayor release, July 30

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