Beacon Development Group Celebrates 25 Years

Posted by beacon on Wed, Nov 8, 2023 at 11:28 PM

In October 2023, Beacon Development Group celebrated its 25th anniversary. Since its inception in 1998, Beacon Development Group has steadfastly sought to improve the lives of families and households facing housing insecurity across Washington and beyond. The numbers tell part of the story: Beacon has contributed to the creation of nearly 7,000 units of affordable housing, owned by 44 diverse clients, across 102 projects, and with a combined value of nearly $1.5 billion. But the numbers are only a small part of the story. The happy faces of kids, parents and older adults at grand openings; the positive impact on communities and neighborhoods; the proud speeches of clients and dignitaries at ribbon-cuttings; and the sweat and passion of Beacon’s exemplary team and partners – all these images, memories, and anecdotes are what make 25 years of Beacon a celebratory moment.

Beacon started with the vision of its founder, Paul Purcell. Paul saw the desperate need for affordable housing in our communities, and knew firsthand, the challenges and complexities of creating housing through the archaic funding programs available, namely HUD and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. With the blessing of his former employer, Catholic Community Services of Western Washington, Paul and a handful of employees began to provide development expertise to not just one organization, but to multiple organizations across the state. After 25 years, more than 60 current or former team members, three office locations, and many a stressful closing, Beacon stands as a leader in the affordable housing industry in Washington State and across the west coast.

Beacon Development Group offers a comprehensive suite of services, including development consulting, construction management, and asset refinance and repositioning. These services guide clients through the entire life cycle of their affordable housing projects and assist them in managing their portfolios. Beacon’s remarkable impact extends to affordable housing projects spanning Washington, California, and Oregon. The core of Beacon’s history is rooted in its consulting service to third-party clients, both non-profits and housing authorities. Beacon continues to uphold that mission by serving both established housing entities as well as a growing array of new community based and BIPOC organizations that are seeking to add housing services to their community programs.

Beacon Development Group has garnered significant recognition for its exceptional contributions to the affordable housing development industry. Some of the notable awards and accolades include:

LifeWire Community Partner of the Year, 2023
Impact Capital Community Partner of the Year, 2016
Washington State Housing Finance Commission Friend of Housing, 2014
Seattle Business Magazine’s 100 Best Businesses to Work For: Top 10 Small Firms, 2014
Affordable Housing Finance Magazine’s Top 50 Affordable Housing Developers, 2007

Construction Management Director Jason Manges reflects on his experience with Beacon, stating, “Beacon has been realistic about my needs, time, salary, benefits, compensation, etc. My kids have grown up while I’ve been at Beacon. My second child was born 2 years into my stay. She’s 12 now. I’ve had the flexibility to raise a family in a way I wanted to here.”

The overarching mission of providing affordable housing to low-income families and seniors serves as a powerful motivator for Beacon Development Group’s team.They are dedicated to overcoming numerous challenges to ensure minimal disruption to residents during construction and the successful, timely completion of affordable housing projects. California Construction Management Director George Sousou recalls, “We pushed for a permit to take the powerlines down for one day to crane our stuff over it. We paid PG&E $18,000 to come out to shut the power off for one day. We provided generators for every business and residence on the block, and even convinced the Wells Fargo across the street to close for the day.”

When COVID-19 necessitated lockdowns across the country, Beacon faced unique challenges, including a California rehabilitation project that required families to relocate from their current housing to temporary accommodations. Beacon carefully coordinated with movers, relocating families one unit at a time to mitigate potential exposures. This process, while time-consuming, was essential for resident safety.

The testimonials from HumanGood residents reveal the profound impact of Beacon’s work in creating vibrant and welcoming communities. Residents express their gratitude for the enhancements made to their living spaces and the attention to detail in design and functionality.

“I cried when I was accepted to move into my new housing. How was I worthy of living in such a grand place? They took me and my dog. My dog was important. He depended on me and I depended on him. Now we both have a warm bed and lots of new friends. I am happy to be so lucky to live out my final days here. Thank you.” – HumanGood resident

Such heartwarming stories motivate Beacon’s team to consistently go above and beyond. Their mission extends beyond mere affordable housing development; it’s about providing individuals with housing opportunities, second chances, and the promise of peaceful retirements. As California Construction Management Director George Sousou aptly puts it, “We’re not just building a project for someone and moving on; we’re making an impact.”

As Beacon Development Group embarks on the next phase of its journey, it anticipates challenges and opportunities in the affordable housing sector. One of the pressing issues is the complexity of funding sources, with numerous government programs, lenders, banks, and sponsors involved in affordable housing development. These requirements and regulations, along with land cost increases, and the inflation in labor and materials, have led to soaring project costs. Beacon’s Project and Construction Managers aspire to collaborate with lawmakers to identify strategies for reducing the costs of affordable housing projects, protecting taxpayer dollars, and enabling more projects within the limitations of available funding.

Moreover, the affordable housing sector, like the broader housing industry, confronts a labor shortage. The intricacies of affordable housing deals require highly skilled and well-trained employees. Beacon also strives to have a team that reflects the diversity in the communities in which we serve. For these reasons, Beacon has undertaken multiple organizational efforts designed to recruit, train, and mentor people who are new to the affordable housing field and can help achieve the overall goals of the industry.

Reflecting on the past 25 years, Beacon Development Group acknowledges that it has weathered various trials, from the 2008 recession to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In times of adversity, Beacon has demonstrated resilience and adaptability. But out of adversity, comes a deeper commitment and ability to bring affordable housing to those in need.

LifeWire Partner of the Year Award!

Posted by beacon on Thu, Jun 1, 2023 at 10:29 PM

Awards & Recognition, Beacon, Construction, Family Housing, Press, Urban/Mixed Use, Washington

Beacon Development Group was honored as LifeWire’s Community Partner of the Year at their Hope Starts Here Luncheon, held on May 25^th in Bellevue, WA. Beacon has been working closely with LifeWire to develop affordable housing for individuals and families escaping domestic violence. We are in the final stages of renovating an existing apartment building with 25 one- and two- bedroom units as well as the new construction of a 2,900 square foot resident service building.

“It is an honor to partner with LifeWire to build housing for survivors facing the impossible choice of staying in an abusive relationship or becoming homeless,” shares Alberta Bleck, the project manager. “We encountered unique challenges in developing this housing, but the strength of the team allowed us to overcome barriers, adding needed shelter and transitional housing units in an area rich with amenities and opportunities for survivors and their families to heal and thrive.”

LifeWire is Washington State’s largest provider serving survivors of domestic violence, offering holistic support, including homelessness and housing stability services, legal assistance, and advocacy. In 2022, LifeWire provided life-saving services to 3,300 survivors across Washington State. Since its formation in 1982, LifeWire has served 160,000 survivors, more than the population of Bellevue.

LifeWire’s Hope Starts Here fundraising campaign is not over yet. Donate today to support their work at https://www.lifewire.org/donate/

Castle Argyle wins in 60th Annual Gold Nugget Awards

Posted by beacon on Mon, May 22, 2023 at 5:11 PM

Awards & Recognition, California, Senior Housing

HumanGood affordable housing community Castle Argyle was recently announced as a winner in the 60^th Annual Gold Nugget Awards 2023 Award of Merit list for Best Affordable 55+ Housing. According to the Gold Nugget Award website, Award of Merit winners are selected by a panel of top industry experts who reviewed nearly 650 entries that showcase the most exciting trends in design, planning, and building. Castle Argyle serves seniors 62+ and adults 18+ with disabilities earning less than 50% of the area median income. With efforts from Beacon Development Group, Walton Construction, and Relativity Architects, the nearly 100-year-old building underwent renovations in 2022 that feature upgraded units and common spaces, energy-efficient appliances, new elevators and HVAC systems. The exterior also features new landscaping and a unique, custom mural by Puerto Rican-based artist Roberto Biaggi. Restoration of the Castle Argyle building was brought back to its classic Hollywood style.

“I want to recognize the perseverance, innovation, and resilience of the entire design, development, operations, and resident services team, that overcame so many challenges to do what is right,” said Cindy Proctor, vice president at Beacon Development Group. “They, along with the residents themselves, endured COVID-19 isolation, temporary relocations, and the stress of rehabilitating the building.” Castle Argyle’s renovations were graciously funded by Citi Bank and U.S. Bank, and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The Golden Nugget Awards celebrates art, innovation, and development in categories such as senior housing, mixed-use, educational, and indoor-outdoor lifestyle. The awards are presented at the Pacific Coast Builders Conference, the leading event of Leading Builders of America. This year, the event will be held on May 24 in Anaheim.

Filipino Community Village Awarded 2^nd Place in Affordable Housing Category by Senior Housing News

Posted by beacon on Fri, Feb 3, 2023 at 6:31 PM

Awards & Recognition, Construction, Senior Housing, Washington

In December 2022, Filipino Community Village was recognized by the Senior Housing News Award for excellence in affordable housing. The 95-unit affordable senior housing development features a 5,000 square foot Innovation Learning Center for seniors and students to access Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) programming. The highlight of this project is a commissioned set of four murals in the new plaza by an internationally renowned Filipino artist. This artwork educates the community about the history of Filipino Americans from pre-Spanish occupation to Seattle’s present day Filipino community.

Filipino Community Village is the result of a partnership between HumanGood Affordable Housing, Beacon Development Group’s parent company, and the Filipino Community of Seattle (FCS). FCS has provided services to Filipinos in Seattle for decades and for many years has had the goal of building affordable senior housing. The site is adjacent to the existing Filipino Community Center, where residents have access to programming including a food bank, health screening, and cultural programs.

Beacon and HumanGood Affordable Housing are honored to receive the national 2^nd place award in the Affordable Housing category from Senior Housing News Award and look forward to future projects with the Filipino Community of Seattle.

Beacon Projects Recognized for Excellence

Posted by beacon on Thu, Sep 15, 2022 at 11:23 AM

Awards & Recognition, Beacon, Construction, Special Needs, Urban/Mixed Use, Washington

Beacon Development Group is proud to be the recent recipient of two different awards for exemplary service to the community: the Award of Excellence from the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and the Award of Merit from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO).

Beacon and Hopeworks Social Enterprises are proud to be the recipients of ULI’s “Award of Excellence 2022” for Hopeworks Station North. Hopeworks Station North provides 65 units of housing for homeless and low-income individuals, with 57 dedicated to those facing homelessness. On the ground floor, multiple job-training programs provide pathways to employment and economic stability. Hopeworks additionally offers an internship program for 75 low-income individuals annually. Internships include their culinary food service program called FoodWorks, a retail training center, and a youth career center.

Additionally, Beacon and the Yakima Housing Authority are proud to be the recipients of the “Award of Merit 2022” for Community Revitalization from NAHRO for Chuck Austin Place (CAP). CAP provides 41 supportive housing units focused on ending veteran homelessness in Yakima through affordable housing and multi-faceted social services. These services include a full-time Resident Services Coordinator which works closely with residents to establish goals and connect resident to their goals, a weekly food pantry, and Veterans’ Benefit Coordinators who work with veterans to secure their VA benefits. CAP’s holistic model is unique to Yakima, to veterans, and to service collaboration.

Beacon Development Group is proud to be recognized for their service to those facing homelessness and housing instability in our communities.

HumanGood awarded $5.25M for affordable housing from the Department of Treasury

Posted by beacon on Wed, Mar 31, 2021 at 6:15 PM

Awards & Recognition, California, Pennsylvania, Senior Housing, Washington

We are pleased to announce that Beacon has helped its parent company HumanGood in securing an award from the Capital Magnet Fund of $5.25 million to finance the development of affordable housing in California, Washington and Pennsylvania. The Capital Magnet Fund (CMF) program supports financing for the preservation, rehabilitation, development or purchase of affordable housing for low-income communities. This is the first CMF grant award ever received by HumanGood, and one of the largest grant awards allocated in this recent round of funding.

Beacon and HumanGood will use the grant award to address the challenges facing extremely low-income and very low-income senior households. Nationwide, there is a significant shortage of age-restricted affordable housing. According to the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, the number of households aged 65 and older will grow from 48 to 79 million over the next two decades. In addition, the number of households aged 75 to 79 will increase 49% to 8.9 million by 2028 and increase another 20% to 10.7 million by 2038, a trend that also continues with households ages 80 and older. This increase in aging communities has produced an increased demand for age-restricted affordable housing. It is projected that by 2038, demand for affordable housing for low-income seniors will significantly outstrip the supply of these units.

Beacon and HumanGood have created a pipeline of ten projects that will preserve and create more than 700 affordable age-restricted rental units in California, Washington and Pennsylvania

More information on the awards can be found on the CDFI fund website at https://www.cdfifund.gov/node/1003286

Financing closes on $170M on Two California Projects to Renovate 200 Units

Posted by beacon on Fri, Aug 21, 2020 at 5:57 PM

Acquisition/Rehab, Awards & Recognition, Beacon, California, Construction, Family Housing, Historic Buildings, Occupied Rehabs, Senior Housing

Starting in Northern California and in partnership with Third Baptist Church, Beacon Development Group and HumanGood Affordable Housing successfully closed on a $100M low income housing tax credit financing for the renovation of 104 units at Frederick Douglas Haynes Gardens Apartments. This redevelopment will improve the quality of living for the residents and preserves the community’s affordability for years to come. Frederick Douglas Haynes serves low-income families in the heart of San Francisco’s Filmore district.

Rendering of Community Room at Frederick Douglas Haynes by Paulett Tagartt Architects.

The Third Baptist Church of San Francisco was founded in 1852 and has been a staple in the San Francisco community for 168 years. As the first African American congregation west of the Rockies, Third Baptist Church has continuously worked with their community to address the rapidly growing need for affordable housing and equity. The preservation of the Frederick Douglas Haynes Gardens Apartments was critical for the large families and communities of color that have been disproportionately displaced in a quickly gentrify urban core of San Francisco.

In Southern California, Beacon Development Group and HumanGood Affordable Housing closed on $70 million in total financing to preserve and rehab 96 units of senior housing at Castle Argyle Apartments. This project will have major upgrades of all systems and a complete seismic retro-fit.

Originally constructed in the 1920s as an apartment-hotel serving the silent film industry, it housed movie stars such as Clark Gable, Howard Hughes, Ronald Reagan and Cecil B. DeMille. The design intent of this renovation is reveal the building’s classic character and re-introduce its orgins of the Golden Era. Along with rehabbing all units and addition of service spaces, the restoration of the grand lobby and office space will bring the building back to its classic Hollywood style.

These accomplishments in the middle of a pandemic and social unrest are a testament to our team’s professionalism, commitment, and love of the mission.

Beacon Development Group makes a difference in Judson Terrace Homes residents’ lives

Posted by beacon on Wed, Aug 19, 2020 at 3:54 PM

Awards & Recognition, Beacon, California

Judson Terrace Homes located in San Luis Obispo, CA. Photo by David Lalush Photography.

Earlier this year, Beacon Development Group successfully obtained rental subsidies from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for affordable housing residents who were facing a rent increase.

Orest Dolyniuk, development director at Beacon Development Group, led the charge on behalf of residents of Judson Terrace Homes, our affordable housing community in San Luis Obispo, California. He spent the better part of 2019 working with HUD to approve our application for these vouchers, which arrived in January 2020.

“Judson Terrace Homes was the first opportunity we had to pursue an additional rental subsidy, and getting the vouchers and the subsidy for current and future residents is one of the most impactful ways we could assist our residents,” said Orest.

“When the vouchers came through, they were manna from heaven,” said Mary Leizear, a Judson Terraces home resident since 2007. “I was growing increasingly concerned, and I was fairly certain and had nightmares that at some point my rent would go up and I was going to be kicked out.”

Judson Terrace Homes courtyard and community room building. Photo by David Lalush Photography.

The community, originally built in 1970, completed renovations this past January. Improvements included new appliances in the apartments, energy-efficient upgrades, including new windows, and new roofs on all eleven buildings that make up the community.

Beacon Development began planning for the renovation and refinancing of the community in February 2018. The process included obtaining funding by securing tax-exempt bonds and four-percent low income housing tax credits. As part of the refinancing process, rental increases would have impacted the community’s residents if not for the subsidies acquired by Beacon. The refinancing is part of HumanGood’s commitment to preserve the community’s affordability status as originally established when it was built. The renovation project extends Judson Terrace Homes’ affordable housing status another 55 years.

“At times, people think of developers as being solely focused on the financial structure of the deal,” said Cindy Proctor, vice president of Beacon Development Group. “Orest’s tenacity and perseverance for the vouchers reflects the compassion and empathy he and all of the development team possess.”

Ancel Romero, president of HumanGood’s affordable housing, signed the contract with the city of San Luis Obispo’s housing authority for the vouchers, resulting in 92 apartments receiving subsidies.

Rotary Terrace Senior Housing receives Senior Housing News Architecture & Design Awards

Posted by beacon on Fri, Jan 3, 2020 at 11:18 PM

Awards & Recognition, Beacon, California, Senior Housing

Rotary Terrace located in South San Francisco. Photo by Abraham & Paulin Photography.

Rotary Terrace Senior Housing located in South San Francisco, CA. Photo by Abraham & Paulin Photography.

Beacon Development Group is excited to announce that Senior Housing News (SHN) awarded Rotary Terrace Senior Housing as the first-place winner of the sixth Annual SHN Architecture & Design Awards for affordable housing communities.

SHN established the Architecture & Design Awards in 2013 as a way to recognize and celebrate companies utilizing cutting-edge design and innovation to improve the lives of seniors.

Rotary Terrace was among more than 100 communities worldwide vying for the top honors across nine categories which included affordable housing, assisted living, continuing care retirement community (CCRC), hospice, independent living, international, renovation/repositioning, skilled nursing/post-acute care and standalone memory care.

“Winning the SHN design award is a great honor for HumanGood. It reflects our larger organizational commitment to inspire seniors to live their best lives possible regardless of their economic status,” says Cindy Proctor, vice president at Beacon Development Group (BDG), a subsidiary of HumanGood.

Opened in January 2019, this 81-unit senior housing community was developed in partnership with HumanGood Affordable Housing (HGAH) and the South San Francisco Rotary Club. BDG worked closely with HKIT Architects and J.E. Roberts-Obayashi as the General Contractor to create an innovative design.

The design features of this community include comfortable spaces, two-rooftop terraces, a second-floor open-air courtyard and lounge areas. It also has sustainable design features including a solar power system, high-efficiency LED fixtures with sensor controls, EnergyStar appliances and dual-pane energy efficient windows. A fitness center, library and high-speed internet are among the community’s many amenities; and it also houses ground-level office space for the Rotary Club that doubles as a public community space.

Located a quarter mile from a Caltrain station in South San Francisco, CA, this five-story building is a great addition to the city’s downtown redevelopment subarea.

Affordable Housing Design Leadership Institute

Posted by beacon on Fri, Aug 24, 2018 at 10:45 AM

Awards & Recognition, Beacon, Special Needs, Washington

Beacon joined Yakima Housing Authority as participants in Enterprise’s annual AHDLI. The AHDLI is a 3-day in-person training program for the country’s leading affordable housing designers and developers seeking to find creative solutions to design challenges in affordable housing projects. It was a great opportunity to participate in interactive design charrettes to share knowledge and expertise with innovators in our industry. This year, eight developers presented projects from across the country and received design feedback from peers and the panel of design experts gathered in Seattle.

AHDLI partcipants

The YHA and Beacon presented YHA’s Veteran Supportive Housing and Service Center project. The project is the redevelopment of 4.64-acre former United States Marine Corp armory property in Yakima. The project includes rehabilitation of the armory as well as new construction housing to create 41 units of permanent supportive housing for homeless veterans and their families. In addition, the project will include a service center that will be open to homeless veterans in the community. This will include a primary care and dental clinic for homeless veterans. Office space will be created for veteran service providers, including VASH case managers who will provide services for residents onsite.

Our YHA team received insightful feedback on our project design, which we are now integrating into our plans. The knowledge shared at the 3-day workshop has provided us with new ideas and resources, not only for the YHA project, but for our design process on other projects going forward. We are grateful to our team members at YHA, to the other designers and presenters, and to Enterprise for this valuable opportunity.

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