HOUSING

Olympia partners with Habitat for Humanity on affordable housing on Boulevard Road

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The City of Olympia announced its partnership with South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity (Habitat) in developing its 10-acre 3900 Boulevard Road property into affordable housing.

In its proposal, Habitat will divide the land into two five-acre sections; with one area developed into 48 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant Senior Cottages catering to those at least 55+ years old and 62 three- to four-bedroom townhouses in the other.

“Dividing the property into two developments will allow our team to build these homes faster and utilize twice the amount of grant funding,” explained Habitat’s proposal. “We are proposing this two-phase project to be done simultaneously, resulting in a faster development timeline.”

According to the City, the homes built on the property will be built according to Evergreen Sustainable Development Standard, which includes criteria for health and safety, durability, sustainable living, preservation of the environment and water and energy efficiency.

Also included in Habitat’s development plans for the property are a park, community center, community gardens and a café, depending on homeowner feedback.

The development project is part of the City’s efforts in curbing homelessness in Olympia.

Both the City and Habitat have confirmed that the houses built at the 3900 Boulevard property will be targeted toward families with 30% to 80% annual median incomes (AMI), whose housing expenses range from $473 to $1949 for households with up to five members, according to the City.

The City stated on its website that Habitat will be responsible for selecting the prospective homeowners, but conceded that it is currently too early for them to be identified.

Habitat, on its website, says that they follow three criteria in selecting homeowners:

  • The applicant’s level of need.
  • Their willingness to partner with Habitat.
  • Their ability to repay a mortgage through an affordable payment plan.

Habitat typically also requires “sweat equity,” where homeowners contribute to the construction of their and others’ homes by doing actual labor alongside other homeowners and project volunteers.

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  • RuthApter

    This looks like a much better plan. Potentially this will house many low income people. So many good ideas! Love the common land and garden patch.

    Tuesday, April 12, 2022 Report this