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SEATTLE – The Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) announced the purchase of three parcels of land in the Skyway community for the Skyway Affordable Housing and Early Learning Center. The land was purchased with capital investment contributions from King County’s Skyway Fund for Affordable Housing, which was spearheaded by King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay.
LIHI is partnering with the nonprofit Childhaven to develop the land into a mixed-use project called the Skyway Affordable Housing and Early Learning Center. LIHI will manage the affordable housing while Childhaven will operate the early learning center, which could serve up to 80 students in four classrooms.
“Affordable rental housing is urgently needed in Skyway to buffer against displacement,” said Sharon Lee, LIHI’s Executive Director, and Jon Gould, community impact and government relations officer at Childhaven. “Mixed-use housing and early learning meets two identified community priorities and will contribute to the emerging ecosystem of equitable, community driven development in Skyway.”
"Skyway is a high displacement risk neighborhood so I’m excited to see more investment in affordable homes in this area,” Councilmember Zahilay said. “Let’s keep working together to keep our communities intact, healthy, and housed!"
“Congratulations to the Low-Income Housing Institute (LIHI) and Childhaven on this exciting step forward for the Skyway Affordable Housing and Early Learning Center. The purchase of this property represents an important investment in a neighborhood that has lacked access to affordable housing and childcare, which we know are both crucial for working families,” said Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash). “Thanks to Community Project Funding I recently helped secure in Congress and funds from King County, the Skyway Affordable Housing and Early Learning Center will go a long way to uplift some of the most underserved members of our community. I’m grateful to LIHI and Childhaven for their tireless work and I look forward to seeing this project become a reality.”
Skyway has one of the largest populations of African Americans and other people of color in King County. Historic residents of the community are facing displacement as housing costs have risen tremendously. The neighborhood has suffered from a lack of permanent affordable housing and affordable child care. In unincorporated areas like Skyway, LIHI and Childhaven have a unique opportunity to combine their expertise and resources to provide much needed housing and services in a part of King County that has been underserved.
The three parcels of land total 38,149 square feet. The architect selected is Third Place Design. King County awarded LIHI $2.5 million for the project. 60-70 apartments are planned and will include studios to 3-bedroom units.