Local affordable housing nonprofit Vashon HouseHold (VHH) broke ground last week at its first new property in five years – Island Center Homes.
The approximately $12 million project, which has been in a planning, funding development and permitting phase since 2017, kicked off despite some pandemic-related challenges, namely the county’s ability to process and complete the permit, as well as the rapidly rising cost of materials.
However, thanks to an additional $5.6 million in funding VHH secured from the state and county, the nonprofit affordable housing provider is able to move forward and expects to complete the project by the end of 2024.
“We are thrilled to be able to officially break ground at Island Center Homes,” said Jason Johnson, VHH Executive Director. “We are especially grateful that the State of Washington and King County recognized the significance of this project and offered additional funding to bring it to fruition. Without them, the project would not have been possible.”
Island Center Homes, at Vashon Highway and 188 Street SW, will include 40 affordable housing units. Eight will be reserved for people with developmental disabilities, eight for those with behavioral health needs, eight for those who are currently without a home, and up to 20 units for veterans and seniors.
The 330-380 square-foot micro suites will serve islanders with very low incomes: 30% or less of King County’s area median income. Currently, that guideline translates to residents who earn $27,200 or less annually.
Construction is slated to begin this month with some land preparation and utility work, Johnson said. The more visible construction, with heavy equipment and materials, will begin early next year.
The five buildings on Island Center Homes’ 1.2-acre parcel will contain single occupancy suites with individual baths. Residents will share a kitchen, laundry and common living areas. VHH will create shared space agreements among residents and provide interior and exterior custodial and maintenance staff, as it currently does with existing properties.
Providing wrap-around social services will also be a priority, Johnson said previously. The organization plans to assign a social worker to help meet the existing and emerging needs of residents.
The opportunity to develop Island Center Homes came in 2017 when VHH was presented with the opportunity to buy the land from the owner, Len Lofland, who hoped it could be used for affordable housing.
Johnson noted that Lofland let VHH put an offer together before placing the property on the open market, prioritizing long-term sustainability for the community over immediate profit. Lofland further helped by carrying the initial contract until VHH was able to secure financing.
“Flexible and generous purchasing agreements like this one have been crucial to Vashon HouseHold’s growth, as inventory for developable land on the island is low, and there is often only a short time within which we can obtain the funding to make these large purchases,” Johnson said in a press release.
After the initial purchase, VHH spent two years securing sufficient funds to pay off the land, which largely came from Impact Capital, a community-developed financial institution that provides flexible loans and technical assistance to help Northwest nonprofits develop essential services, such as affordable housing.
In the year following the funds from Impact Capital, VHH put together the basic plan for the site based on island needs, eventually landing on a hybrid model that served a few different populations at once.
“We are excited to take the next step forward in expanding our ability to serve Vashon, with an eye toward growing even further in the coming years,” Johnson said.
