Today Mayor Jenny Durkan and the Office of Housing announced a $95 million investment in affordable housing, an allocation of which was awarded to Community Roots Housing’s project in partnership with YouthCare, a nonprofit serving homeless youth.
“We are very grateful for this strong investment in our incredible young people,” said YouthCare’s Interim CEO Colleen Echohawk. “Our visionary project will offer young adults experiencing homelessness with robust education, job training, and connections alongside safe and supportive affordable housing. This foundation of stability and opportunity will help break the cycle of homelessness for generations.”
The project will be developed in Capitol Hill on the southeast corner of Broadway and E. Pine. The building will feature three floors devoted to a new YouthCare education and employment resource hub, in addition to over 80 new affordable apartments, including units set aside for homeless youth.
“We are thrilled to work on this vital project in partnership with YouthCare,” said Christopher Persons, CEO of Community Roots Housing. “We can always do more when we partner. We serve individuals better, and we serve our community better. When we elevate community priorities, it’s a win for everyone.”
In addition to creating more housing capacity for young people experiencing homelessness, the new space in the Broadway and Pine building will also enable YouthCare to expand their programmatic offerings. Education resources will include high school diploma and GED offerings, individualized tutoring, and wrap-around case management; employment curriculum will focus on career discovery, sector-based training opportunities, and pre-apprenticeships.
Today’s announcement marks a new single-year record for the City of Seattle: $143 million in affordable housing investments.
“Before, during and after the pandemic, our housing and homelessness crisis has and will continue to be a defining challenge for Seattle, which has been the fastest growing city in America,” Mayor Durkan said.
The $95 million announced today will support the construction or preservation of over 1,100 affordable homes.
“Today’s investments represent the culmination of another year of commitment to ending homelessness, preventing displacement, and ensuring everyone in Seattle can thrive in a safe, healthy home within a strong, resilient community,” said Robin Koskey, Interim Director of the Office of Housing.
Construction on Community Roots and YouthCare’s project is scheduled to begin in the winter of 2022.
