$6.4 million awarded for affordable housing

King County has awarded $6.4 million in low-income housing grants and loans to 15 development projects that will create or preserve 675 affordable housing units, King County Executive Ron Sims announced today. The housing ranges from affordable rental housing for families, seniors, homeless families and people with special services needs, to home ownership opportunities for first-time buyers.

“This housing will provide secure and affordable homes so that families, seniors and people with disabilities can thrive in our community,” said Sims. “As rents and house prices continue to escalate in King County, it is essential that we help community-based agencies build affordable homes and apartments, as well as save and improve the affordable housing we already have.”

In addition, Sims announced the award of $873,606 for transitional housing for homeless families with children. Eight agencies will receive Transitional Housing Operating and Rental Assistance grants to assist 400 to 450 households over a year beginning in July 2000. A list of funded agencies is attached.

The housing development projects are funded by the King County Housing Opportunity Fund (HOF), a local fund source using County current expense funds, and federal Home Investment Partnership Act (HOME) and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The projects were recommended for funding by the Joint Recommendations Committee, comprised of suburban city and County representatives. The projects include:

New affordable rental housing for families and seniors: Three apartment buildings -- in Federal Way, Woodinville and Vashon Island -- will be constructed and rented to low-income families and seniors at below-market rents. Another building in south King County will be purchased to provide transitional housing and supportive services for homeless families with children.

Preservation of existing affordable housing: A mobile home park in unincorporated King County that is threatened by redevelopment will be purchased and rehabilitated, preserving 59 homes owned by the residents. Two agencies will purchase existing apartment buildings in Tukwila and Auburn, providing management and property improvements to low-income communities.

Home ownership opportunities: Two projects will assist first-time buyers through home purchase assistance loans in south King County, and “sweat-equity” home construction by buyers and volunteers in Newcastle.

Special needs housing: A house will be constructed in Issaquah to provide shared housing with supportive services for developmentally disabled, mentally ill residents. Two agencies will provide clean-and-sober supportive housing for people who have completed treatment programs by acquiring and preserving existing units in Kent and by purchasing homes in South and East King County.

2000 Housing Finance Program -- Funded Housing Development Projects

Downtown Action to Save Housing: Construction of a 50-unit apartment building for families in Woodinville. Award: $480,000 in HOME funds. Acquisition of a 50-unit apartment building for families in Tukwila. Award: $366,372 in HOME and CDBG funds. Contact: Mark Thometz, Executive Director, 425-646-9053.

Habitat for Humanity of East King County: Construction of 12 duplex units for first-time home buyers in Newcastle. Award: $199,000 in HOME funds. Contact: David McDaniels, Executive Director, 425-869-6007.

HomeSight: Purchase assistance loans for 25 to 30 first-time homebuyers in south King County. Award: $350,000 in HOME and HOF funds. Contact: Dorothy Lengyel, Executive Director, 206-723-4153.

Inland Empire Residential Resources: Construction of a four-bedroom home to provide shared housing for people with developmental disabilities and mental illness in Issaquah. Award: $100,000 in HOF funds. Contact Darryl Reber, Executive Director, 509-789-2245.

King County Housing Authority: Construction of a transit-oriented development, including a 300-unit apartment building with 20 units for low-income households with disabilities, in Redmond. Award: $500,000 in HOF funds. Contact: Stephen Norman, Executive Director, 206-244-7750.

King County Housing Authority and Oxford House of Washington: Acquisition of two six-bedroom homes providing shared transitional housing for men and women completing alcohol and drug treatment, in South and East King County. Award: $475,000 in HOF and CDBG funds.

Low Income Housing Institute: Operating support for property management. Award: $12,000 in HOME funds. Contact: Sharon Lee, Executive Director, 206-443-9935.

Manufactured Housing Community Preservationists: Acquisition and rehabilitation of the 51-space Empire View Mobile Home Park in the unincorporated Skyway community. Award: $989,035 in HOF and CDBG funds. Contact: Doug Hobkirk, Executive Director, 206-324-0663.

South King County Multi-Service Center: Construction of a 50-unit senior apartment building in Federal Way. Award: $681,000 in HOME funds. Acquisition of a 23-unit apartment building for families in Auburn. Award: $649,058 in HOME funds. Acquisition of 18-unit apartment building in Kent, preserving an existing transitional housing program serving women who have completed drug and alcohol treatment. Award: $428,000 in HOF funds. Contact: Dini Duclos, Executive Director, 253-838-6810.

St. Andrew’s Housing Group: Rehabilitation of a 59-unit apartment building, preserving housing occupied by low-income seniors in Mercer Island. Award: $352,550 in HOF funds. Contact: Mark Blatter, Executive Director, 425-746-1699.

St. Stephen Housing Association: Acquisition of a nine-unit apartment building to provide transitional housing and supportive services for homeless families with children in South King County. Award: $364,000 in HOME, CDBG and HOF funds. Contact: Joan Mladineo, Board President, 253-631-1940.

Vashon HouseHold: Construction of a 21-unit senior apartment building to serve very low-income seniors on Vashon Island. Award: $482,373 in HOME funds. Contact: Sam Hendricks, Executive Director, 206-463-6454.

2000 Transitional Housing Operating and Rental Assistance Program Awards

Fremont Public Association: Rental Assistance $103,000; Operating Subsidy $117,500.

South King County Multi-Service Center: Rental Assistance $206,467; Operating Subsidy $140,612.

Salvation Army: Rental Assistance $54,235.

Church Council of Greater Seattle: Rental Assistance $42,106.

Seattle Emergency Housing Services: Operating Subsidy $14,682.

YWCA: Operating Subsidy $25,000.

El Centro de la Raza: Rental Assistance $110,004.

King County Housing Authority: Rental Assistance $60,000.

For further information, contact Maureen Kostyack, Housing Finance Program Coordinator at (206) 296-8669. For further information on 2000 Transitional Housing Operating and Rental Assistance Program Awards, contact Jane Voget, Housing Planning and Development Coordinator at (206) 296-8647.

Updated: July 5, 2000