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.
LIHI was sad to learn of George Fleming’s passing this week. Executive Director Sharon Lee said, “We honor Senator George Fleming, a remarkable hero who was decades ahead of his time. Long before the current housing and homelessness crisis, he recognized the importance that affordable housing plays in the everyday well-being of people and the communities we live in. He established the State Housing Trust Fund which became a national model for enabling people to access housing they can afford. This is why we named LIHI’s new building George Fleming Place.”
George and Tina Fleming at the newly opened George Fleming Place in September. George toured the building with family and friends. He 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.”
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Fleming FamilyFrank Chopp, Sharon Lee, George and Tina FlemingDaughters Sonja Fleming Schuett and Yemi Fleming Jackson speaking at George Fleming PlaceNorm Rice making a tribute to George during building tourGeorge Fleming looking at an apartment
We are excited to invite you to attend our Virtual Gala & Auction right now! Watch our short Gala Video, bid on fun and exciting auction items (see pics below), and donate from now through November 14th.
(Rocking Harley)
The Virtual Gala & Auction is LIHI’s main fundraiser for 2021. It supports Tiny Houses, Urban Rest Stops and Supportive Services. These crucial direct services help homeless people right now.
(Bowl by Artist Matthew Patton)
Tiny House Villages in Seattle, Skyway, Tacoma, Olympia, and Bellingham provide homeless individuals and families with safe, private, warm shelter in a secure village setting. Case Managers have a great record of moving villagers into permanent housing.
(Tuxedo Cake from Macrina)
The Urban Rest Stops provide a clean, safe and welcoming facility in downtown Seattle and Ballard where individuals and families can use restrooms, showers, and laundry facilities at no cost to them. A shower and clean laundry is basic human dignity and can help homeless people obtain and keep jobs and housing while improving their health.
(El Gaucho and AQUA gift certificate)
Supportive Services are critically needed (with winter and the pandemic) to keep people safe and to ensure that families and individuals can access the necessary services.
(Dooney & Bourke Bag)
If you are unable to attend the Virtual Gala & Auction, you can donate now or send a check made out to “LIHI” to:
Tina Fleming, wife of George Fleming, (center, red hat)
cuts the ribbon to open George Fleming Place
On October 14th, 2021, George Fleming Day by proclamation of Governor Jay Inslee, LIHI celebrated the grand opening of George Fleming Place.
Located in Seattle’s Othello neighborhood at 7357 43rd Ave. S. George Fleming Place features 106 affordable apartments serving families with children, veterans, low-wage workers and people living with disabilities. Ten apartments are intended to help Afghan refugees seeking asylum.
George Fleming Place is named in honor of former State Senator and Washington Husky football star George Fleming, Washington’s first African American state senator. He was elected in 1971 and represented the 37th District of Southeast Seattle/Rainier Valley. LIHI is specifically honoring George Fleming for being the prime sponsor in the Senate for creating the state Housing Trust Fund in 1986. Sharon Lee, when she worked at the Seattle City Council, lobbied him to create the HTF, now a nationally recognized program. George also established the Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC) in 1983. And he established the Office of Minority & Women’s Business Enterprise.
Speakers at the event included Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos, Sen. Rebecca Saldaña, Yemi Jackson Fleming, Nate Miles (former Chief Legislative Aide to George Fleming), Nathan Lichti (State Housing Trust Fund), Emily Alvarado (Office of Housing), Mike Pellicciotti (State Treasurer and WSHFC Commissioner), Nicole R. Bascomb-Green (US Bank) and Mahnaz Eshetu (Refugee Women’s Alliance).
Sharon Lee: “We wanted to name this building after someone who made a huge difference in the Othello neighborhood and the entire state. LIHI is so grateful that George and Tina granted us the honor of naming it George Fleming Place.”
Senator Sharon Tomiko Santos: “George Fleming was a remarkable, consummate public servant who dedicated his career to the cause of building community. He worked on education, jobs, affordable housing and non-discrimination well before anyone else in this state. He epitomizes what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. meant when he said: I can never be who I am fully meant to be unless you are able to be fully who you are meant to be. Senator Fleming stood for human dignity. I stand before you today only because Senator Fleming stood in my shoes well before me.”
Senator Rebecca Saldaña: “George Fleming and George Fleming Place are a reminder that we can do big things when we work together—and that to pay homage to George she would work hard to fully fund the State Housing Trust Fund.”
Yemi Fleming: “My father spent Monday to Friday in Olympia, sacrificing so much for his family and for the people of this state fighting tirelessly for the rights of the underprivileged, sponsoring landmark legislation that advocated for the rights of women, minorities, senior citizens, and the homeless, as well legislation that improved the social and economic development of his constituents and all of the state.”
Emily Alvarado: “Today you see the benefits of aligning our transportation and housing infrastructure investments. Thank you to Senator Fleming for the legacy of creating statewide resources for affordable housing. We need housing champions like Senator Fleming in every level of government if we are going to fulfill our promise of housing justice for all.”
Nathan Lichti: “The Housing Trust Fund invested in a duplex that was on this property, a $58,000 investment back in 1998. We were happy to be flexible and transfer that funding into four units in George Fleming Place, extending the affordability of those units another 50 years without any additional investment. We are pleased to be here to celebrate with LIHI. This is a model example of how to create perpetual affordability.”
Mike Pellicciotti: “Since George Fleming founded the State Housing Trust Fund more than a half million people have found affordable housing in our state. Today more than ever we need more Senator Flemings in government.”
Senator Rebecca SaldañaRebecca Sharon Tomiko SantosEddie Rye, Tina Fleming, Yemi Fleming, Nate MilesNate Miles and Sharon Lee with Governor’s Proclamation
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.
(Rocking Harley)
(Bowl by Artist Matthew Patton)
(Tuxedo Cake from Macrina)
(El Gaucho and AQUA gift certificate)
(Dooney & Bourke Bag)
(Harry & David’s Gift Basket)
