The Low Income Housing Institute develops, owns and operates housing for the benefit of low-income, homeless and formerly homeless people in Washington State; advocates for just housing policies at the local and national levels; and administers a range of supportive service programs to assist those we serve in maintaining stable housing and increasing their self-sufficiency.
Last Wednesday, several South Lake Union neighborhood groups joined Seattle City Councilmembers Andrew Lewis and Teresa Mosqueda; the SLU Chamber; Mirabella residents; Immanuel Community Services; The Omni Group; Union Church; members of the Lake Union Village and Interbay Village Community Advisory Committees; and to call for 3 specific actions in support of more tiny home villages:
Ask Mayor Durkan and Seattle City Light to make the property at 145 Yale Ave. North available for a tiny house village to serve unsheltered people in South Lake Union.
Ask the Mayor to quickly build three new villages–that have already been funded–by winter.
Ask all candidates running for Mayor or City Council to support CM Lewis’s “It Takes a Village” initiative to build more tiny house villages across Seattle.
The rally took place at 145 Yale Ave. N., a vacant property owned by Seattle City Light that could host a temporary tiny home village, providing emergency shelter and a bridge to permanent housing for those living outside in the neighborhood’s streets, doorways, parks, and greenbelts. Contact Josh Castle if you would like more info at Josh.Castle@lihi.org.
A special thank you to SLU community members and villagers who attended the rally to support a new tiny house village in South Lake Union!
Tracy Williams, a former resident of True Hope Village, spoke powerfully of her positive transformation through the program and how she eventually secured permanent housing at Jensen Block and her daughter found housing at Clay Apartments. She now works as a Village Organizer at TC Spirit Village to help others find stability.
David Ellis and Candice Hoyt, who serve respectively on the Lake Union and Interbay tiny house village Community Advisory Committees
City Council Member Teresa Mosqueda with Julie Holland and CM Andrew Lewis (on right)
Residents of the Mirabella Retirement Community are spearheading
the campaign to bring a tiny house village to their South Lake Union neighborhood
under the RIMBY slogan “Right in My Back Yard!”
Bob Williamson spoke at the event on how staying at Interbay Village was an important stepping stone to securing permanent housing.
The first tiny houses have arrived onsite at Rosie’s Village in the U District. Set up has begun with the village scheduled to open mid-October. The site at 1000 NE 45th Street will have 38 tiny houses. The land is being leased for free from Sound Transit by the City of Seattle with annual renewals through May 31, 2024.
All projects are substantially complete and can be occupied in months
225 Harvard Ave E.
Units: 71 Studios
Property Type: Turnkey- closing after C of O.
Closing: October 2021
Location: Capitol Hill, Seattle
Population Target: Homeless households
Long Term Owner: LIHI
Financing: Washington Department of Commerce Rapid Capital Housing Acquisition Program, Seattle Office of Housing Rapid Acquisition Program.
420 Boylston Ave E.
Units: 60 Studios
Property Type: Turnkey- closing after C of O.
Closing: October 2021
Location: Capitol Hill, Seattle
Population Target: Homeless households.
Long Term Owner: LIHI
Financing: Commerce Rapid Capital Acquisition Program, Seattle OH Rapid Acquisition Program
506 10th Ave E.
Units: 36 Studios
Property Type: Turnkey- closing after C of O.
Closing: October 2021
Location: Capitol Hill, Seattle
Population Target: Homeless Young Adults
Long Term Owner: LIHI
Partner: YouthCare
Financing: Commerce Rapid Capital Acquisition Program, Seattle OH Rapid Acquisition Program
The $25 million State Commerce award to LIHI was matched with $25 million from the Seattle Office of Housing to quickly acquire new buildings as permanent supportive housing for homeless singles, couples and young adults. The State award is part of a larger announcement from the Washington State Department of Commerce.
OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced $39.1 million in grants to five projects that will help address the state’s homeless crisis by acquiring 307 housing units that will quickly be available to serve people with extremely low incomes or who are experiencing homelessness.
Grant recipients are:
· City of Vancouver Housing Authority – $5.1 million to provide 62 shelter units at Bertha’s Place in Clark County.
· King County – $8.9 million to provide 84 shelter units in the Federal Way Red Lion Inn.
· Low Income Housing Institute – Three projects located in King County:
o $10.89 million for 69 permanent supportive housing units at the 225 Harvard Apartments
o $8.39 million for 58 permanent supportive housing units at the Boylston Apartments
o $5.76 million for 34 permanent supportive housing units at the 506 10th Apartments
OLYMPIA, WA —Sen. David Frockt (D-Seattle), Vice Chair for the Capital Budget on the Senate Ways & Means Committee and lead sponsor of the budget’s new Rapid Housing Fund, commented:
“The goal of this fund was for the state to partner with local governments, non-profits and the private sector more aggressively to make more units available rapidly – not in three or four years but within months. I am pleased that this initial round appears to be moving toward that goal. I think there are likely to be more units rapidly developed in Seattle and King County in upcoming rounds of funding.
Read full press release from Sen. Frockt.
Sharon Lee, executive director of the Low Income Housing Institute, said:
“The downturn in the real estate market due to the pandemic made it possible for three newly constructed apartment buildings to be purchased as permanent supportive housing for vulnerable homeless people. Thanks to the $25 million from the State’s Rapid Capital Housing Acquisition program and $25 million from the City of Seattle’s Office of Housing, for a total of $50 million, LIHI will soon move in 180 people currently living on the street, in shelters or tiny houses into studio apartments. We appreciate the leadership from Governor Inslee and the Legislature in innovating the State’s new program to address homelessness.”
Demolition of Vacant Black Angus Motel
Makes Way for Friendship Heights Village
Demolition of the old Black Angus Motel is underway to make room for Friendship Heights Village. Located at 12245 Aurora Ave N., the village will be approximately 20,400 square feet and will feature 40 tiny houses that will serve up to 55 people. LIHI is partnering with North Seattle’s Epic Life Church as the village sponsor. Permanent affordable housing will eventually be built on the site.
By the end of this year, LIHI will add 140 new tiny houses in King County:
Skyway Village: 34 tiny houses, opened June
Rosie’s Village in U District: 36 tiny houses, open house September 28 (details to come)
Interbay Village expansion: 30 tiny houses, opening November
Friendship Heights Village: 40 tiny houses, opening November
On August 18th, LIHI broke ground on Rosie’s Village. The site at 1000 NE 45th Street is being leased for free from Sound Transit to the City of Seattle with annual renewals through May 31, 2024.
The 38-tiny house village, which LIHI will operate, is scheduled to open by mid-October and will provide shelter, community, safety, and a path to permanent housing for individuals, couples, and people with pets experiencing homelessness.
LIHI staff were joined at this exciting groundbreaking by several crucial partners in the effort to start Rosie’s, including Seattle City Councilmember Alex Pedersen of District 4 and his staff, other staff from City of Seattle, Sound Transit, the University District Partnership, the Ravenna-Cowen Community Alliance, the Ravenna Pop Up Kitchen, and nearby neighbors.
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Gardenview Village in Bellingham to Open in October
LIHI’s first tiny house village in Bellingham will be located at Lakeway Drive and Woburn Street, near the city’s Community Garden. The village will feature 36 tiny houses. Each furnished unit has insulation, heat, electricity, windows and a locking door. Couples and pets will be allowed. There will be a community kitchen and a facility with restrooms, showers and laundry.
LIHI’s Nesbit Family Housing, located at 8700 Aurora Ave. N, Seattle, is on the list to receive an allocation of 4% Tax Credits and Tax Exempt Bonds from the Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC). The project will include 104 units of affordable housing in a 7-story elevator building. This included studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments to serve families and individuals making up to 60% of the King County Area Median Income (AMI). The project includes a community room with a kitchen and computer station, a classroom, a courtyard and children’s play area. The architect of record is PYATOK Architects, working with local firm, Hewitt Architects. Exxel Pacific is the General Contractor. The project will complete early right-of-way work at the end of August, and will begin construction in November. Other public funders include the Seattle Office of Housing and the State Housing Trust Fund.
George Fleming Place 7357 43rd Ave. S, Seattle 106 affordable apartments
The Low Income Housing Institute is proud to announce that its upcoming 106-apartment building in the Othello neighborhood of Seattle will be named George Fleming Place in honor of former State Senator and Washington Husky football star George Fleming.
George Fleming Place, which is scheduled to open in October of this year, will serve families with children, veterans, people living with disabilities and low-wage workers.
George Fleming was Washington’s first African American state senator. He was elected in 1971 and represented the 37th District of Southeast Seattle/Rainier Valley. “LIHI is honoring George Fleming for being the prime sponsor in the Senate for creating the Washington State Housing Trust Fund in 1986. The HTF has grown to be a nationally recognized program,” said LIHI Executive Director Sharon Lee. She lobbied and collaborated with Senator Fleming to create the HTF when she worked at the Seattle City Council. “We must always remember the past and honor our heroes. Senator Fleming was brilliant in foreseeing the great need for affordable housing for people in our state. He exemplifies the true spirit of Housing is a Human Right.” Senator Fleming established the Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC) in 1983. He also established the Office of Minority & Women’s Business Enterprise.
Senator Fleming, a proud UW Husky Business School graduate, was also a star athlete. The record-setting Fleming, star of the 1960 and ’61 Rose Bowls, (co-MVP of the ’60 game), went on to be named a Husky Legend, was inducted into the UW Hall of Fame and played several years in the NFL and CFL. In 2012, Fleming was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame. He is retired and lives with his wife Tina in Seattle.
“It is appropriate that this building is named to honor George Fleming. His leadership in the state legislature to create more affordable housing and support for low-income people, has resulted in a legacy that impacts current and future generations,” Gov. Jay Inslee said. “George honed his leadership skills on the football field and took those lessons to help communities all over our state. I am so pleased that LIHI is recognizing George in this way and I join them in honoring his service and impact.”
Former King County Executive and Deputy HUD Secretary Ron Sims said, “Senator George Fleming was an outspoken proponent and champion of affordable, low income, and subsidized housing years before it was considered to be good public policy. When others were silent his voice was heard in the chambers of the Senate and House legislative chambers in Olympia. He was a voice that was needed at a time of indifference. He put the housing issue on his back and carried it up the hill to the mountain top. Today, they are lives that have been changed by his advocacy. He was a composer of this state’s affordable and subsidized housing policy. This will be music that will be heard for generations.”
Upon learning of the honor, George Fleming said, “I am honored and wish to thank LIHI for naming their new apartment building after me. Setting up the State Housing Trust Fund was a top priority and achievement for me. I am pleased to know that George Fleming Place will continue to serve the 37th District and the community in perpetuity. Affordable housing is closest to my heart. There is no nobler work and there is no clearer sign that a society is working than when our neighbors have a place to call home.”
Architects: Runberg Architecture Contractor: Walsh Construction Co. Financing: City of Seattle, King County, U.S. Bank, National Equity Fund, Inc., Washington State Housing Finance Commission, State Housing Trust Fund, and the Home Depot Foundation.
LIHI will be hosting a virtual community discussion, inviting the public for questions and comments about the MLK Mixed-Use Affordable Housing proposal. All are welcome! Interpreters can be provided upon request. Please note that information gathered will be public record.
Cherryl Jackson Williams, Chandler Gayton, Hannah Ferguson, La Tonya Horace and other members of the Skyway Coalition. “We are so happy to say welcome home to our community members that are coming here. We are so happy to say this is just the first stop of your journey, and we will ride that ride with you. We are not going anywhere, because again, this is for us, by us, and we stand by our community.”
Construction of Progressive Skyway Village, located at 12431 56th Pl S, Seattle is nearly complete and an opening celebration ceremony was held on June 8th. The village, sponsored by the Seattle Word of God Church and sited on church property, has 33 tiny houses for families, couples and singles. The village features plumbed bathrooms, kitchen, laundry, community meeting space, case manager’s and staff offices, entrance pavilion, secured gate and surrounding fence. The village has separate groupings of tiny houses for families, family bathrooms and a children’s rec room.
Seattle Word of God Minister Kathy Taylor, speaking at the opening, said, “We’ve had this land for 2 years now, and we just wanted to be able to be of service to the community. Until we get to the point where we are building our church, we felt it necessary to be able to do something that would serve the community where we sit. And that’s what it’s all about. We are our brother’s keeper, we are our sister’s keeper.”
Rev. Curtis Taylor added, “The Bible tells us that how can you love God who you have not seen, and don’t love your brother who you see everyday. Part of that love is action. Since we’ve been blessed with this property, we found ourselves wanting to be a blessing and help somebody along the way. This is just the first phase of what our ultimate goal is, and that is to have low-income housing on the opposite side of this lot along with our Church.”
Fellow faith leaders were on hand to celebrate the opening, including Rev. Jeffrey of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. Lawrence Willis of Truvine Church, and Rev. Jesse Townsel of Garden of Gethsemane Church of God In Christ.
King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay said, “This just shows you the power of our community, the power of the Skyway community. If you give the people of Skyway the tools and resources they need, and the opportunity to succeed, they will achieve amazing things, and there has never been a better example than this today.”
Former True Hope Village resident Tracy Willams said, “When I walked in there, I had no self esteem, I had no hope. The tiny houses gave me hope and helped me get back on my feet and made me start loving myself all over again. The program does work.”
Mark Ellerbrook, Division Director for King County’s Community and Human Services Department, said, “I’m excited that we have our first tiny home village outside of the City of Seattle, in unincorporated King County, recognizing this is a solution we should be embracing, and I want to see more of this and have our Department and Division do more of this work.”
Sharon Lee said, “We are very happy to open Progressive Skyway Village as LIHI’s first tiny house village located in King County outside of Seattle. Given the large number of homeless people in King County, there is a great need for tiny house villages in north, east and south parts of the county. Thank you to the Seattle Word of God Church for offering their land to shelter people experiencing homelessness in the Skyway community. The Church has stated their interest in developing their land in the future for affordable housing.”
Great thanks to the commitment and generosity of Pastor Curtis Taylor and his wife Minister Kathy Taylor, the Word of God Church congregation, the Skyway Coalition, and King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay. King County provided capital and operating funding.
Heartfelt thanks also to all who donated and volunteered, with special thanks going to Sound Foundations NW, Trinity Construction Builders, JT’s Contracting, Walsh Construction, PACT Program, and other families, organizations, and volunteers who built homes, Dignity for Divas for organizing and donating welcome baskets for the new residents, the International District and Mercer Island Rotary Clubs for donating bedding and hygiene supplies, and the over 50 neighbors and volunteers who helped set up the village over several work parties.
Progressive Skyway Village will be accepting referrals from Skyway-based social service organizations that serve people experiencing and at-risk of homelessness in the Skyway community. The first residents will move in tomorrow, Friday, June 11.
Clockwise from top left: LIHI Staff; the daughters of Rev. and Min. Taylor sang a song of celebration; interior of house with furnishings and welcome basket of essentials; handicapped accessible houses; King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay (left) with Legislative Aide Chandler Gayton; enclosed village with secure entrance and 24/7 staffing; Mark Ellerbrook, King County Community and Human Services Department; mother and daughter Tracy and Audre’ona, who moved from True Hope and T.C. Spirit Villages into LIHI’s Jensen Block and Clay Apts; LIHI’s Theresa Hohman, Min. Kathy Taylor, Rev. Curtis Taylor, Senator Rebecca Saldaña (37th), and Ricky Winbush.
The Port held a press event on June 2 at Interbay Safe Harbor Tiny House Village to announce the expansion of the village by working with LIHI to add 30 new tiny houses to the existing 46 houses. This would make Interbay the largest tiny house village in the state with 76 tiny houses. The location is 1601 15th Ave. West.
Port Commissioner Stephanie Bowman stated that the Port of Seattle is the only port in the country to host a tiny house village. The Port is expected to sign a new two year lease with the City of Seattle and will welcome the new neighbors. LIHI will add additional hygiene facilities, a new kitchen and increase staffing including case managers. Seattle Councilmember Andrew Lewis spoke about the desire to serve more homeless people in District 7 and throughout the city with his “It Takes a Village” campaign to create 20 tiny house villages in Seattle.
Sharon Lee, LIHI Executive Director, thanked Commissioner Bowman and Councilmember Lewis for their leadership. 50 people currently live in the village including three children. Because of Mayor Dukan’s leadership in helping LIHI purchase the 76-unit Clay Apartments on Capitol Hill, six people from Interbay moved in recently. Ms. Lee introduced Bob Williamson who lived at Interbay Village since it opened and has now moved into permanent housing. Mr Williamson said he formerly lived in a tent at the Dravus tent city site before moving to Interbay Village. He is now very happy to be living in his own studio apartment at the Clay Apartments (see photo). He said the village saved his life.
Magnolia, Queen Anne and Interbay community leaders, Janis Traven, Sue Olson, Jan Monti and Ellen Monrad and spoke about their support for the villagers and the expansion.
LIHI’s proud commitment to racial equality and justice is demonstrated through the Asian American heroes we have honored by naming our buildings after them.
Denice Hunt Townhomes (1998) 620 N 85th St., Seattle
Denice Johnson Hunt
Born in Kingston, Jamaica to a mother of Chinese descent and a father of African descent, Denice Johnson Hunt (1948-1997), was an architect, urban planner, historic preservationist, and served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Seattle Mayor Norm Rice, in which role she was instrumental in the development of the Seattle waterfront, the downtown plan, Benaroya Hall, and the Northwest African American Museum. Read bio.
Aki Kurose Village (1998) 11506 Stone Ave. N, Seattle
Aki Kurose
Seattle teacher and tireless peace and social justice activist, Aki Kurose (1925–1998) spent her life advocating on behalf of the neglected, the disadvantaged, and children. She helped establish Seattle’s Head Start program, crusaded for non-discriminatory affordable housing, and won numerous awards for her innovative work as an elementary school teacher. A Nisei, Kurose’s life’s course was altered when she, along with her parents and three siblings, was imprisoned in a World War II U.S. government prison camp. During and after the war, at a Quaker university in Kansas, she adopted a lifelong belief in the Quaker values of peace and nonviolent conflict resolution, which became the foundation for the rest of her life’s varied work. Read bio.
Mark Chow, Catherine Danigelis, Liliana Marningstar-Chow, Sarahg Morningstar, Sharon Lee
Cheryl Chow
Cheryl Chow (1946-2013) spent her entire life dedicated to the children and families of Seattle. A proud graduate of Franklin High School and WWU, she became a well-known educator and administrator in many Seattle Public Schools. Cheryl sat on the board of various non-profits, volunteered for 30 years as a girls’ basketball coach and spent over 40 years as director of the Seattle Chinese Community Girls Drill team. In 1990 She was elected to the Seattle City Council and served two terms. She was also elected to the Seattle School Board where she served one term. After retiring, Cheryl spent a decade working for the Girl Scouts of Western Washington. She was also elected to the Seattle School Board where she served one term.
Cheryl Chow was instrumental in the creation of the Urban Rest Stop in downtown when she was chair of the City Council’s Housing and Human Services Committee. She secured funding for LIHI to purchase the Julie Apartments and to locate the Urban Rest Stop on the first floor. She stood up to NIMBY opposition from a faction of the downtown business community.
Cheryl was also a visionary in getting the Seattle City Council to approve the development of housing for homeless families, youth and singles at the former Sand Point Naval Station at Magnuson Park. Cheryl worked diligently with housing advocates to ensure that homeless people have a place to call home.
The Tony Lee (2018) 2820 NE 127th St., Seattle
Pre-school on ground floor of the Tony Lee
Tony Lee
For over three decades, including 19 years as Advocacy Director at Solid Ground, Tony Lee (1948-2020) was the state’s leading lobbyist on issues impacting people living on low incomes.
Tony started his career as a lawyer with Evergreen Legal Services launching his work as a leader in the field of multi-racial organizing. In fairly short order, Tony shifted his focus to become a civil rights policy advocate. This was not an intentional career move; rather he explained that he “stumbled” into policy work “by luck.” Tony abandoned the practice of law to spend the bulk of his career as an advocate, focusing his efforts on how to make laws more just and equitable.
Tony readily took on the role of champion to those suffering inequities and injustices from poverty and racism. As Washington State House Representative Frank Chopp describes him, “Tony Lee [was] the conscience of Washington State when it comes to helping poor people.” Read bio.
An Lạc (2020) 1253 S. Jackson St, Seattle
An Lạc, which means tranquility in Vietnamese, is located in the International District at the gateway to Little Saigon. LIHI is proud to serve the ID and Little Saigon communities with the affordable housing that An Lạc provides and also thrilled to call this neighborhood home, having recently moved our administrative offices to the ground floors of An Lạc.
Henry McGee, Jr. with his GiveBig donation. Henry is a LIHI Board- member and is Professor Emeritus at Seattle University School of Law.
Dear LIHI Champions,
You are amazing! Between donations made directly to LIHI and through the GiveBig website, plus fully leveraging the $30,000 matching gift from the Wyncote Foundation NW, you raised nearly $100,000 for Tiny Houses and Urban Rest Stops!
We are so grateful to you for helping provide our homeless neighbors the shelter and services they need.
Forgot to give? It’s not too late!
You can still GiveBIG: Donate online direct to LIHI. Mail a check to: LIHI Fund Dev. 1253 S. Jackson St. Seattle, WA 98144 (checks = no credit card fees taken out of donation) Donate through GiveBIG site through midnight on May 10th.
