A crowd of locals turned out to see the official opening and ribbon cutting of Nyer Urness House (1753 NW 56th St) this morning. The My Ballard team toured the building last month in anticipation of the opening event today. Check out our previous post about this exciting Compass Alliance Housing Project that will provide 80 chronically homeless men and women with permanent housing.
The official opening was followed by an open house where the public had the opportunity to take part in guided tours. Many locals commented on the impressive facilities that will be on offer to residents.
In terms of the choice of name for the project, Compass Alliance wanted to honor the late Rev. Nyer Urness who served as chaplain at the Compass Center from 1989 to 2006. Urness was known to be a gifted conversationalist and a master listener who filled people with confidence. “We are approaching this project in Nyer’s way, accepting where it is that people are and where they want to go. He always noticed the inherent spark in people and when you spoke with him you felt as if you were the only one in the room,” said Compass Alliance Program Manager Kim Sather.
Sather expressed her excitement about the opening and also emphasized the importance of the supporters in the Ballard community. “All along we have had more supporters than those who were concerned about Nyer Urness House. We have even changed some of the opposers minds,” said Sather. “Our goal is to the the best neighbor that the area has ever had.”
After the opening today, Nyer Urness House will hold an official blessing and open house on Sunday, April 7 from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. All are welcome to attend.
In terms of sponsorship and donations of supplies, Compass Alliance are still on the lookout for more funds and items. They are currently in need of pots and pans, cooking utensils, can openers, brooms and dustpans and cleaning supplies. If you are interested in helping out call (206) 357-3108 or email volunteer@compasshousingalliance.com for delivery options.
Apartments are still available for sponsorship. It costs a total of $1000 to sponsor an apartment and sponsorship is open to individuals and groups. Apartments have already been sponsored by local groups including Magnolia United Church of Christ and Ballard First Lutheran Church. If you are interested in sponsoring an apartment contact Amy Besunder at abesunder@compasshousingalliance.org
We will continue to keep readers informed about the project as residents begin to move in this month.
I was paying my rent and when landlord sold the place to new ” developers”, they informed me that they will demolish that place in Ballard and I have to move out somewhere…
I have red that the City of Seattle prises itself that new developers will contribute to the low income housing needs, but looks like they don’t have any considerations for a housing for people displaced by those developers…and the SHA says wait in line for a couple years…..
Instead they praise themselves that they provided some housing for people who not lived in Ballard, but had chosen earlier not to support themselves.