On May 29th, 86 newly constructed affordable homes opened at Good Shepherd House in Seattle's Central District, replacing 37 affordable homes that were originally assisted under the Moderate Rehabilitation program. Through the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program, the owner was able to convert assistance to a long-term project based rental assistance contract, preserving this affordable housing for the long-term. As a result, at-risk veterans, refugees, and residents transitioning out of the tiny houses will be among the residents safely housed in the new 86 home community. In 2015, tiny homes were built as shelters in response to the homelessness crisis. Building amenities include an on-site laundry facility that is free to all residents, a community room, bike racks, resident case management offices, and a rooftop deck that overlooks the city. The property's central location is within steps of a grocery store, food bank, and a main bus line.
Good Shepherd House was developed through a unique partnership between the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd and the ownership group Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI). Good Shepherd is the first project to take advantage of a 2021 city ordinance that provides development bonuses for affordable housing on property owned by religious organizations. The ordinance allowed for additional height and floor areas, enabling an additional 21 homes to be built. This project shows how communities can design local laws to promote housing construction, and affordable housing, a priority highlighted by the Biden-Harris Administration.
The development cost $32.8 million, most of which was financed by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission. Additional funding sources included the Seattle Office of Housing, Enterprise, Heritage Bank, State Housing Trust Fund, and Wyncote Foundation NW.
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