New Building Will Help Combat Affordability Crisis by Offering 70 Affordable Housing Units
Seattle (October 19) – Standing with leaders from across Lake City, Mayor Jenny A. Durkan helped reopen the former site of Fire Station 39 as a revitalized apartment building for low-income individuals and families. The building was developed by Low Income Housing Institute and will offer 70 new affordable housing units.
“This innovative new development will help address our housing and affordability crisis,” said Mayor Durkan. “We have creatively converted a former fire station to address a critical need in the community: more affordable homes.”
Rents at the Tony Lee Apartments will range from $526 for a studio to $1,353 for a two-bedroom and are intended to be affordable to households with incomes of $21,050-$42,150 for a single person household and $30,100-$60,200 for a family of four. Individuals earning at or below 30%, 50% and 60% of area median income are encouraged to tour Tony Lee and fill out an application.
“We’ve all noticed an increase in people who are living in vehicles and doorways all over the city. Nowhere is the need for affordable housing options for children and their families more apparent than in north Seattle,” said Councilmember Debora Juarez, District 5 (North Seattle). “If kids can’t eat, and can’t sleep, they can’t learn. With today’s dedication of the Tony Lee Apartments nearly 100 more District 5 residents will have a safe, affordable and centrally located place to call ‘home’.”
“We are pleased to honor social justice advocate Tony Lee by naming the building after him,” said Sharon Lee, Executive Director of the Low-Income Housing Institute. “Affordable homes were among the things Tony fought for throughout his career on behalf of low-income families, people of color, immigrants and refugees.”
Resources for the Tony Lee Apartments were provided by the voter-approved Seattle Housing Levy. Mayor Durkan announced $100 million in City investments in affordable housing through the Office of Housing in 2017 and will announce another $70 million later this fall. Seattle Housing Levy and other local resources consistently leverage regional, state, and federal funds by two to three times.
Tours of the Tony Lee Apartments begin at 10:00 a.m.
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