Summary:
Construction will soon begin on New Hope Family Housing, a mixed-use development in Seattle's Central District that will provide 92 income-restricted homes for working families earning up to 50 and 60 percent of the area median income. The project is a collaboration between the New Hope Community Development Institute and the Low Income Housing Institute and will be built on land owned by New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. The development will also include ground-level commercial space, office space, and amenities such as a rooftop terrace and on-site parking.
A new chapter in affordable housing is set to begin in Seattle’s Central District, where construction will soon commence on New Hope Family Housing, a mixed-use development that will bring 92 income-restricted homes to the neighborhood.
The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, November 30, at 2 p.m. at 124 21st Avenue. The project, a collaborative effort between the New Hope Community Development Institute (NHCDI) and the Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI), will rise on land owned by New Hope Missionary Baptist Church at 114 and 123 21st Avenue.
Designed with working families in mind, the development will offer apartments to residents earning up to 50 and 60 percent of the area median income. Housing will be split across two structures: the west building will include 70 units made up of studios, one-bedrooms, and two-bedroom layouts, while the east building will feature 22 additional apartments with a similar mix.
Each building will offer community gathering spaces, and residents will also have access to amenities such as a rooftop terrace and on-site parking. Ground-level commercial space will be leased to Clean Greens Farm & Market, and the project will also provide office space for both the Church and NHCDI.
Speakers confirmed for the event include Seattle Mayor-Elect Katie Wilson; Rev. Dr. Johnny Youngblood of House of Hope Church; Wendy Armour from Byrd Barr Place; Curtis Riggins of the church’s Deacon Board; Sharon Lee of LIHI; and KeyBank’s Caleb Stephen. Architectural design is by Weber Thompson, with WG Clark serving as general contractor. The buildings are expected to be completed by spring 2027, totaling over 71,000 square feet.
Tiffany Howard-Davis, board chair of NHCDI, emphasized the importance of the project to the surrounding community. “We are excited to see these much-needed units become a reality. Affordable housing in the Central District aligns with our core mission,” said Howard-Davis. “This groundbreaking is not just about construction — it’s about community.”
LIHI Executive Director Sharon Lee highlighted the innovative model that leverages religious land under Seattle’s new density laws. “This development demonstrates how we can responsibly build housing in partnership with faith communities,” said Lee. “The Church retains ownership, while NHCDI has secured a 99-year lease to carry this work forward.”
Funding for the project comes from a broad mix of public and private sources, including the Seattle Office of Housing, the Washington State Housing Trust Fund, Transit Oriented Development grants, and low-income housing tax credits from Enterprise. Additional support is provided by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission, Equitable Development Initiative funds, and KeyBank, which is financing construction.
A community dinner will be offered at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church prior to the ceremony, from 12:45 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. The event is open to all.