On May 18, the White Center Community HUB officially broke ground. Members of the community joined project partners White Center Community Development Association, Southwest Youth & Family Services, Community Roots Housing, and King County, to celebrate the culmination of years of hard work.
The White Center Community HUB will create a new residential building, public plaza, and a three-story, 25,000-square-foot community and human services center. Upon opening, there will be 76 new family sized apartments, ranging from one- to -four bedrooms. These are set to be affordable for households earning between 30% and 60% of the area median income. The project completion is slated for September 2025 with construction lasting about 16 months.
The community center is designed to be an inclusive space that promotes health, well-being, and social equity. Southwest Youth & Family Services will operate educational programming for youth as well as a licensed behavioral health clinic. HealthPoint will operate an on-site clinic, offering comprehensive medical and dental services to address community healthcare needs. FEEST Seattle will focus on youth leadership development and community engagement. The YES! Foundation of White Center will lead after-school programming for local youth, including a music studio and maker space.
“Reaching groundbreaking is a testament to the resilience and determination that define what it means to come up in White Center,” said Aaron Garcia, executive director of the White Center Community Development Association. “This project exemplifies what we can achieve when we lead with purpose and prioritize the voices of residents most deprived of justice and equity. By working together, we are building a stronger future and preserving the unique spirit of our neighborhood. The HUB will empower us to uplift community priorities, address displacement, and protect the cultural richness of White Center as we continue to lead the charge in this critical work.”
Extensive community engagement informed the design and programming of the HUB project. White Center is one of the most ethnically and income-diverse neighborhoods in Washington state, with a large immigrant and refugee population. Over 40% of households are bilingual, and the poverty rate is almost double the county average. The WCCDA holds annual community-wide summits, which typically attract over 500 residents. The concept for the White Center Community HUB originated from one of these summits, elevating the long-held aspirations of the White Center community to create a safe, welcoming, and inspiring space for gathering and accessing vital services.
“Partnership is a cornerstone of this project,” said Christopher Persons, CEO of Community Roots Housing. “The White Center Community HUB illustrates a model for development that leverages collaboration to meet critical neighborhood needs. In the midst of a protracted housing crisis that has disproportionately impacted marginalized populations, it is absolutely crucial that organizations like the WCCDA are empowered to realize their community’s vision, making tangible strides towards a more inclusive and equitable future.”
The project utilizes a diverse portfolio of funding sources, including a mix of public grants, tax credit equity, and philanthropic contributions from the Rise Together capital campaign. The project is made possible by generous support and collaboration between King County, Washington State Housing Finance Commission, Washington State’s Department of Commerce, congressional funding championed by Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal and Senator Patty Murray, as well as contributions from Enterprise, Capital One, Citibank, JPMorgan Chase, Hudson Housing Capital, Corporation for Supportive Housing, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Craft3, and Ecotrust. Private support includes major gifts from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Microsoft, and the Norcliffe Foundation.
“The White Center Community HUB is a testament to the power of partnerships,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “King County is honored to be part of the development of this space, investing more than 16 million dollars to create 76 units of affordable housing, community and education spaces, and integrated health services in the neighborhood. This hub signifies a place of “Hope, Unity, and Belonging,” for which the building will be named, and proves that community-driven development works. King County looks forward to seeing the full vision for the White Center Community HUB become a reality.”
