Summary:
Construction has begun on a 92-unit affordable housing project in Seattle's Central District, known as New Hope Family Housing. The project aims to address displacement and rising rents in one of the city's historically Black neighborhoods. The development is the first in the Central District to utilize a recently adopted Seattle city ordinance that allows religious institutions to build more housing on their land through increased zoning flexibility. The project is scheduled for completion in spring 2027.
Construction is now underway on a 92-unit affordable housing project in Seattle’s Central District, marking a major milestone for the New Hope Community Development Institute (NHCDI) and the Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI). The project, known as New Hope Family Housing, aims to address displacement and rising rents in one of the city’s historically Black neighborhoods.
The development is located on two parcels owned by New Hope Missionary Baptist Church at 114 and 123 21st Ave. The new buildings, situated on opposite sides of the street, will offer studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments for individuals and families earning up to 50% and 60% of the area median income. In addition to residential units, the project will include office space for NHCDI and Clean Greens, a nonprofit dedicated to food justice.
“We are thrilled that construction will start immediately on 92 affordable apartments on church-owned land,” said NHCDI Vice Chair Rev. Dr. Robert L. Jeffrey Sr. “This provides a unique opportunity to build housing for community members as the Central Area has experienced significant rent increases and displacement. We applaud our funders, NHCDI, LIHI, and members of the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church for taking action to address an urgent housing need.”
The project is the first in the Central District to utilize a recently adopted Seattle city ordinance that allows religious institutions to build more housing on their land through increased zoning flexibility.
“We are proud to partner with the New Hope Community Development Institute in building the first affordable workforce project in the Central Area utilizing Seattle’s innovative new code that provides increased density on land owned by religious institutions,” said LIHI Executive Director Sharon Lee. “The church continues to own the land and offered a 99-year lease so that NHCDI can launch the first of many housing development efforts to benefit the community.”
Designed by architecture firm Weber Thompson and built by WG Clark Construction, the development will cover a combined 23,838 square feet and total approximately 71,530 gross square feet across both sites. Completion is scheduled for spring 2027.
Funding for the project comes from a variety of public and private sources, including the Seattle Office of Housing, Washington State Department of Commerce Housing Trust Fund, Transit-Oriented Development funding, Washington State Local Community Projects funding, the Washington Community Reinvestment Association, the Washington State Housing Finance Commission, and the Seattle Equitable Development Initiative. Additional funding comes from low-income housing tax credit investments by Enterprise, with construction financing provided by KeyBank.