Murray Announces $30.5 Million in HOPE VI Funding for King County Housing Redevelopment Projects

(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) today announced that the Seattle and King County Housing Authorities will be receiving nearly $30.5 million in funding from the Hope VI housing program to revitalize two public housing developments. The Hope VI program, which is funded by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), replaces some of the nation’s most dilapidated public housing with modern, mixed-income units. Senator Murray, who Chairs the Senate Subcommittee that oversees the HUD budget, worked this year to include $100 million in Hope VI funding nationwide after the Bush Administration proposed to eliminate all funding for the program.

“This is a big victory for providing new and better affordable housing opportunities in King County,” said Senator Murray. “This funding will give many King County families a new beginning in a true neighborhood where they can live, work, and raise their children. By placing families in diverse and safe neighborhoods, the Hope VI program not only rebuilds housing, it rebuilds lives.”

Senator Murray announced today that $20 million will be allocated to the Park Lake Homes redevelopment Project in White Center and nearly $10.5 million will go to the Lake City Village and House redevelopment in Seattle.

Senator Murray understands the overwhelming importance of Hope VI funding to Washington state, where numerous Hope VI projects are funded. That is why when the Bush Administration proposed to eliminate all funding for HOPE VI projects this year, Senator Murray fought back. In her role as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees all HUD funding, Senator Murray worked to include $100 million for HOPE VI projects nationwide. Of that $100 million, $50.5 million has been awarded to Washington state projects, including the $30.5 million for King County. The other project in Washington state that will be funded this year is the Westpark housing redevelopment project in Bremerton ($20 million). 

Additional information on the projects in King County that will receive funding:

KING COUNTY, WA – Park Lake II  – $20 Million

This funding will go to The Housing Authority of the County of King (KCHA) to revitalize the Park Lake Homes II public housing development.  The revitalization project is comprised of 165 units, all of which will be demolished and replaced with a total of 318 units.  Of this total, there will be 165 public housing/Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) rental units, 12 LIHTC rental units, 12 Project Based Housing Choice Voucher units, 17 Habitat for Humanity affordable homeownership units, and 112 market rate homeownership units.  Of these units, 306 will be on site and 12 will be off site.  Community and Supportive Services (CSS) will also be provided to all impacted families.  There will be 6,500 square feet of community center space on the ground floor of a residential building in the center of the site.  The space will include a large community room, the Neighborhood Networks Center, office and classroom space for CSS providers, a multi-purpose room, and a satellite office for the King County police.  

SEATTLE, WA – Lake City Village and House – $10,486,839

This funding will go to The Housing Authority of the City of Seattle to revitalize the Lake City public housing development.  The severely distressed Lake City Village was comprised of 16 townhouse public housing rental units which were demolished in 2002.  Its revitalization plan will create a total of 103 units, including 51 public housing rental units, 35 Low-Income Housing Tax Credit rental units, five affordable homeownership units, and 12 market rate homeownership units.  Of these units, 71 will be on site and 32 will be off site.  Additionally, there will be 113 public housing rental units at Lake City House, a high-rise building for seniors and persons with disabilities, that are currently undergoing substantial rehabilitation.   Community and Supportive Services (CSS) will also be provided to all impacted families.  To aid in the delivery of CSS programs, a 600-square foot Neighborhood Network Center and a 100-square foot CSS office will be constructed on site.