In the midst of our region’s housing crisis, it’s a given that adding to affordable housing stock via new construction is critical. However, preserving existing affordable housing is just as important. One of our core values is that everyone has the right to a quality, affordable home. In some cases, those quality homes are produced not through new construction, but through a reinvestment in our existing portfolio.
Community Roots Housing is committed to the preservation of affordable housing that is at risk due to market pressures or physical deterioration. However, pandemic-related economic challenges, including rising costs due to inflation and interest rates, have made it more difficult to secure funds for critical repairs.
Earlier this year, Community Roots advocated for funding to help us address this need through a Community Project Funding request. These requests allow members of Congress to target federal dollars toward projects benefiting their communities.
This month, we received an $850,000 federal grant, championed by Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal of Washington’s District 7. These funds will go toward critical improvements to three Community Roots properties that provide 117 units of affordable housing to those making 30-50% of the area median income. The Harrison on 15th, the Villa, and the Fleming apartment buildings have not benefited from public investment in over 20 years.
Repairing instead of postponing
While each property adds to a repair reserve fund annually, escalating project costs and unexpected replacements have reduced them. This new capital will enable us to make urgent improvements such as replacing roofs, repainting exteriors, updating window sealing and caulking, and masonry tuckpointing. Postponing this type of maintenance would have resulted in much higher repair costs in the future. These upgrades represent the most critical needs and will ensure these buildings remain safe and affordable for the residents.
With the average age of the buildings being 82 years old, these classic brick buildings hold historical significance in Seattle’s changing architectural landscape. One of the buildings–the Villa–even earned an Award of Merit from the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation.
Preserving commercial space for local small businesses
Seven small, locally owned businesses occupy retail space on the ground floors of the Villa and the Harrison. According to the data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 20% of small businesses fail within their first year. By the end of their fifth year, roughly 50% of small businesses fail. Commercial tenants Zaika and Inside Passage are nearing their fifth years of doing business at the Villa. The Shop Agora and Rumba have been fixtures on Capitol Hill for over a decade and Palermo has been operating out of the Harrison on 15th since 2002. The Seattle Tattoo Emporium has called the Villa home since 2000. These businesses will also benefit from future exterior upgrades to the buildings.
We strive to safeguard affordability and rehabilitate buildings. That’s why in addition to the $850,000 grant, Community Roots is contributing nearly $250,000 from its repair reserve funds to these improvements. This enhances the quality of life for residents by providing decent, safe, and affordable housing. Community Roots Housing is leading an ongoing movement toward sustainable preservation.
