Mission & Concept
Based on values of community, collaboration, and co-learning, African Community Housing & Development (ACHD) and Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King and Kittitas Counties (Habitat SKKC) are combining their strengths to deliver high-quality and permanently affordable homes that meet the critical needs of BIPOC and low/moderate-income families.
This Pilot Program consists of 3 sites donated by the City of Seattle Office of Housing and provides 65 permanently affordable homeownership units. Through our “shared equity” program, we promote intergenerational wealth for the BIPOC immigrant and refugee communities of Seattle’s Rainier Valley and address rampant displacement experience by low/moderate-income families in the region. ACHD will dedicate extensive time to informational workshops, answering questions, and preparing the community for homeownership; topics include financial preparedness, Islamic financing methods, and home stewardship and maintenance.
Site Information
- Site 7: 1, 2, and 3-bed condos
- Site 6: 1, 2, and 3-bed condos + ground floor commercial space
- Site 9: 4-bed, 2-bath townhome units
Notable Features
Site 6
- The building front is angled to follow the line of MLK Jr Way S, with the center pulled back from the street for the main residential entry, including a small plaza and planter. A small commercial space is located at the northwest corner of the building, flexibly designed to accommodate a variety of retail, office or business uses. Blank walls at the northwest corner of the building were purposely designed as a space for 5-story mural to the painted.
- The project will meet Evergreen Sustainable Energy Requirements. The units will all have ERVs (energy recovery ventilators) as well as ample natural light and ventilation in all units.
- The design challenges stemmed from the unique shape of the site and its and characteristics including easements and utilities on site and within the right of way. Building entries, amenity spaces and the solid waste room were designed around these constraints, keeping in mind code requirements, context considerations and design.
Site 9
- The project is uniquely formed by the geometric characteristics of the site which was formed by the creation and construction of light rail along MLK. The set of three rowhomes shifts in plan and elevation to address the climbing topography to the west and the busy street to the east. The shifting facades along MLK Jr Way S were also inspired by the cascading concrete retaining walls to the south of the site which have been beautifully tiled with expansive mosaics of traffic reflectors.
- Terraced lush landscaping is proposed to surround the new homes and support an underlying storm water infiltration system. All units will have efficient building envelope strategies with high efficiency appliances and HVAC systems
- The project is an extension of the small residential community just off MLK and that rises up S. Ferdinand St. Multiple meetings with ACHD and Habitat for Humanity have been intended to ensure as many local community needs can be addressed by this small, but challenging site
Financials
| Total Cost: | $39,000,000 |
| Secured: | Seattle Office of Housing |
| Planned: | CHIP, NHT, and HTF |
Project Partners
