An affordable housing property is getting some national attention for its innovative design.
The Marion West is a mixed-use affordable housing property in the University District that won two Gold Nugget Grand Awards at the 2017 Pacific Coast Builders Conference, including “Residential Housing Project of the Year”.
The Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) and Runberg Architecture Group collected the awards in San Diego.
The Marion West’s 2nd floor is dedicated to 20 units of permanent supportive housing for formerly homeless youths. This means they are given some wraparound services like an on-site case worker. Residents pay whatever 30% of their income is. The nonprofit YouthCare runs the floor.
The 3rd and 4th floors are 29 units of workforce housing. Units cost residents $640 per month, according to Sharon Lee of LIHI.
The 7,400 square foot rooftop has an urban garden residents can use. The rooftop also has downtown Seattle skyline views.
Downstairs houses the University District Food Bank. Some of the rooftop garden provides fresh produce for the food bank. Also downstairs, Street Bean Coffee is an apprentice program for formerly homeless youth.
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Originally written by Ryan Takeo