Announcing George Fleming Place

George Fleming Place 7357 43rd Ave. S, Seattle 106 affordable apartments

The Low Income Housing Institute is proud to announce that its upcoming 106-apartment building in the Othello neighborhood of Seattle will be named George Fleming Place in honor of former State Senator and Washington Husky football star George Fleming.

George Fleming Place, which is scheduled to open in October of this year, will serve families with children, veterans, people living with disabilities and low-wage workers.

George Fleming was Washington’s first African American state senator. He was elected in 1971 and represented the 37th District of Southeast Seattle/Rainier Valley. “LIHI is honoring George Fleming for being the prime sponsor in the Senate for creating the Washington State Housing Trust Fund in 1986. The HTF has grown to be a nationally recognized program,” said LIHI Executive Director Sharon Lee. She lobbied and collaborated with Senator Fleming to create the HTF when she worked at the Seattle City Council. “We must always remember the past and honor our heroes. Senator Fleming was brilliant in foreseeing the great need for affordable housing for people in our state.  He exemplifies the true spirit of Housing is a Human Right.” Senator Fleming established the Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC) in 1983.

Senator Fleming, a proud UW Husky Business School graduate, was also a star athlete.  The record-setting Fleming, star of the 1960 and ’61 Rose Bowls, (co-MVP of the ’60 game), went on to be named a Husky Legend, was inducted into the UW Hall of Fame and played several years in the NFL and CFL. In 2012, Fleming was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame. He is retired and lives with his wife Tina in Seattle.

“It is appropriate that this building is named to honor George Fleming. His leadership in the state legislature to create more affordable housing and support for low-income people, has resulted in a legacy that impacts current and future generations,” Gov. Jay Inslee said. “George honed his leadership skills on the football field and took those lessons to help communities all over our state. I am so pleased that LIHI is recognizing George in this way and I join them in honoring his service and impact.”

Former King County Executive and Deputy HUD Secretary Ron Sims said, “Senator George Fleming was an outspoken proponent and champion of affordable, low income, and subsidized housing years before it was considered to be good public policy. When others were silent his voice was heard in the chambers of the Senate and House legislative chambers in Olympia. He was a voice that was needed at a time of indifference. He put the housing issue on his back and carried it up the hill to the mountain top. Today, they are lives that have been changed by his advocacy. He was a composer of this state’s affordable and subsidized housing policy. This will be music that will be heard for generations.”

Upon learning of the honor, George Fleming said, “I am honored and wish to thank LIHI for naming their new apartment building after me. Setting up the State Housing Trust Fund was a top priority and achievement for me. I am pleased to know that George Fleming Place will continue to serve the 37th District and the community in perpetuity. Affordable housing is closest to my heart. There is no nobler work and there is no clearer sign that a society is working than when our neighbors have a place to call home.”

Architects:           Runberg Architecture Contractor:          Walsh Construction Co. Financing:           City of Seattle, King County, U.S. Bank, National Equity Fund, Inc., Washington State Housing Finance Commission, State Housing Trust Fund, and the Home Depot Foundation.

For leasing information, please visit https://lihi.org/george-fleming-place/