Kenmore, WA - The City of Kenmore has partnered with Plymouth Housing Group to build an affordable housing development in downtown Kenmore at 6532 Bothell Way NE. The development will include 100 units, a mix of studios and one-bedroom apartments, to serve residents at or below 30% of the area median income (AMI).
With King County facing a regional housing crisis, increasing affordable housing is currently the number one priority of the Kenmore City Council. The goals of this project include providing deeply affordable housing units that are cost efficient, high quality, sustainably designed, and will increase the density of housing. The 100 planned units would serve a resident population of seniors, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and formerly homeless individuals. Planned amenities include an outdoor courtyard, community room and kitchen, case management office space, and ground floor commercial space that may house a community clinic.
At its June 21, 2022 meeting, the Kenmore City Council approved the City’s partnership with Plymouth as well as the use of $3.2 million of the City’s American Rescue Plan Act funds for this effort. The City will be donating the City-owned property for the project and is partnering with A Regional Coalition for Housing (ARCH) whose Executive Board approved $3 million in ARCH Trust Fund dollars to this effort at its meeting on June 9, 2022. The estimated total project cost is $37.5 million.
“Finding affordable housing at 30% AMI aimed at seniors, people with disabilities, and veterans has been something we have been working towards for many years and this work is very near and dear to my heart,” said Councilmember David Baker. “I am so happy to see the work we put in has paid off. We want to thank Plymouth Housing Group for their partnership with the City of Kenmore on this project.”
The City received three strong proposals to develop the property, ultimately selecting Plymouth Housing Group. Plymouth Housing Group has worked in the region for 40 years with the mission to eliminate homelessness and address its causes by preserving, developing and operating safe, quality, supportive housing and by providing adults experiencing homelessness with opportunities to stabilize and improve their lives.
“It is vital that we make bold investments now to increase affordable housing for our region’s most vulnerable neighbors. We look forward to partnering with the City of Kenmore and ARCH to provide 100 units of new permanent supportive housing to seniors and veterans in the city’s downtown area, where residents will have easy access to grocery stores, medical facilities, public transportation, and other amenities that contribute to healthy living,” said Karen Peterson, Chief Real Estate Officer at Plymouth Housing.
“I am thrilled to see the beginnings of a lasting partnership forming with the City of Kenmore and Plymouth Housing, said ARCH Executive Director Lindsay Masters. “This project will be ARCH’s second successful collaboration with Plymouth, a longstanding, reputable provider with a demonstrated track record of developing and operating affordable, safe, quality permanent supportive housing.”
The City of Kenmore also received assistance from a team of graduate students, Bill McQueen, Jenn Rogers, Johnny Wheeler, and Michaela Wright Petrik, from the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Policy and Governance, who produced an affordable housing report and assisted with other related work. The City is thankful for these efforts.
Construction for the project is slated to begin in mid-2023 with an opening planned for December 2024.
Visit the project website for more information and updates: www.kenmorewa.gov/affordablehousing
Source:https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WAKENMORE/bulletins/31d7cca
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