(The Center Square) – King County is set to begin construction on its latest affordable housing project with a 235 unit building in Seattle’s Northgate District.
The King County Department of Community and Human Services has contributed $30 million in the county’s affordable housing funds towards the project.
Tenants will include households earning 60% or less of the area median income, which is $82,200 for a family of four.
The building includes 54 two to three bedroom units and 24 units will be dedicated for system-connected households.
The property is valued at $12.9 million and is currently a parking area owned and operated by King County Metro.
“Northgate is the region’s most popular transit hub and offers fast, frequent bus and train service connecting communities,” King County Executive Dow Constantine said in a statement. “Housing projects like this give people back time they would have spent in traffic – reducing pollution and ensuring a healthier future for everyone.”
According to a press release, King County and its metro transit department will provide the land to the affordable housing developers “BRIDGE Housing Corporation” and “Community Roots Housing” for a 75-year lease. The lease is set at a mere $1 per year.
BRIDGE Housing Corporation will be responsible for financing and managing the construction of the project in Northgate, while Community Roots Housing will manage the property long-term.
The City of Seattle had a previous arrangement with King County to jointly fund the Northgate transit-oriented development project, in which the city dedicated $10 million. However, that arrangement was modified by another multi-property agreement that shifted city and county funding among several other jointly funded housing projects.
King County boosted funding for the Northgate affordable housing project as a result of the change in arrangements with the city.
Construction is anticipated to be completed in Fall 2025.
