A City-owned parcel in Loyal Heights (7750 28th Avenue NW) is set to be donated to create eight new family-sized townhomes for low-income households.
The donation is part of Mayor Jenny Durkan’s Housing Seattle Now initiative, which also includes the donation of a parcel in Phinney Ridge. Habitat for Humanity of Seattle and King County will receive at least $720,000 from the City to develop the Loyal Heights land, and Homestead Community Land Trust will receive $1.51 million to create 19 condos on the Phinney Ridge parcel at 6109 Phinney Avenue N.
The parcels are both Seattle City Light surplus land, and are being donated to the nonprofit developers at no cost. The donation is the first of its kind in Washington since the state legislature in 2018 created the authority for cities to transfer surplus utility-owned property at no cost when the intended use is to create affordable housing.
“The cost of buying a home is out of reach for many families in Seattle, which is why we must continue using all the innovative tools at the City’s disposal to ensure families can afford to continue to live and work in our City,” Mayor Durkan said in a statement.
The two developments will provide housing for 27 families total, and the Loyal Heights townhomes are meant to accommodate larger families.
According to a Seattle Times report, the new homes will be sold to families at or below 80 percent of the area median income, or $70,600 for a two-person household. The cost of each home will be roughly $250,000, and will remain that price if resold.
The City has also transferred a piece of public land in Judkins Park, which will create 16 townhomes, with 10 affordable units.