Copperleaf Northgate

As housing costs rise in the Seattle region, more people are being priced out of neighborhoods with strong access to transit, jobs, education, and services. Copperleaf Northgate was created to address this by providing large-scale affordable housing at a key transit hub. Located steps from Northgate Station and the Transit Center, the project increases access to stable, high-quality homes in an area experiencing significant growth and reinvestment.

The building features a range of apartment sizes — studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units — providing rare family-sized affordable housing. Copperleaf offers 232 affordable homes and connects residents to supportive services, transit, and future childcare amenities. It includes 24 “systems-connected” homes for individuals actively connected to public systems — for example, those transitioning from foster care, incarceration, or chronic homelessness. Wellspring Family Services provides support services at no cost to residents.

Copperleaf Northgate is a seven-story affordable housing community built on a former Metro Park & Ride lot next to Northgate Transit Center. Jointly developed by BRIDGE Housing and Community Roots Housing on land from King County Metro, the community offers 232 affordable apartments for a wide range of households, from individuals to large families.

The building includes studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments with spacious kitchens, wood-style flooring, and scenic views. Residents also have access to generous shared amenities, including a community room with a kitchen and TV/media lounge, an outdoor courtyard, a flexible makerspace, laundry facilities on every floor, full-time maintenance staff, and ample bike storage with in-unit bike hooks. A ground-floor daycare center and commercial space are slated to open in late 2026, further strengthening the project’s role as a mixed-use community hub.

Copperleaf was designed as a transit-oriented development and opened in late 2025. Located next to Sound Transit’s Northgate Station and King County’s Northgate Transit Center, the community gives residents direct access to light rail and over 20 local and regional bus routes. Community Roots is also providing residents age 18 and older with free transit passes for light rail, bus, and ferry service for up to three years after move-in.

Copperleaf Northgate opened in late 2025 as Community Roots’ largest community to date. Its opening coincided with continued transit expansion in the area, including Sound Transit’s 2 Line extension, helping connect residents to even more destinations across the region.

Income qualifications

Copperleaf Northgate includes 232 affordable homes serving a range of incomes. Of those, 211 apartments are available to households earning up to 60% of AMI. An additional 24 homes are reserved as “systems-connected units” for households earning between 30% and 50% of AMI.

Location

201 NE 103rd St, Seattle, WA 98125

About eight miles north of downtown Seattle, Copperleaf Northgate sits in one of the city’s most rapidly evolving Regional Centers. The community connects residents with transit, jobs, shopping, and recreation in a highly accessible area. Redevelopment of the former Northgate Mall site is adding new retail, restaurants, a hotel, and the Kraken Community Iceplex.

Copperleaf Northgate is a joint venture between BRIDGE Housing and Community Roots Housing as part of King County’s transit-oriented development efforts. Built on publicly owned land from King County Metro, the project results from long-term public investment in affordable housing near major transit, with planning underway since 2018. King County contributed the land and $30 million in funding.

The project was financed with support from King County, the Seattle Housing Authority, Bank of America, Community Preservation Corporation, City of Seattle, and tax credits.

• King County: $27.6 million
• City of Seattle: $1.5 million (COVID relief funds for childcare)
• Seattle Housing Authority: $1.05 million (Buy Up program)

Learn about our other current development projects.