Celebrating the Opening of Casa De La Mora

Posted by Alanna.Lopez@beacondevgroup.com on Mon, Oct 5, 2026 at 10:00 AM

Beacon, Family Housing, Senior Housing, Washington

Beacon Development Group is proud to celebrate the opening of Casa De La Mora, a new Catholic Charities Housing Services affordable housing community serving the Yakima area. This milestone reflects a longstanding partnership between Beacon and CCHS, rooted in a shared commitment to expanding access to safe, stable, and affordable homes. Since beginning their work together in 1999, with an early focus on housing for farm workers, Beacon and CCHS have collaborated on multiple affordable housing communities through both rehabilitation and new construction. Casa De La Mora marks the eleventh community Beacon has developed with CCHS.

Casa De La Mora is more than a new building—it is an investment in people, stability, and opportunity. The 71,273-square-foot, fully electric community incorporates sustainable features such as rooftop solar panels, energy-efficient LED lighting throughout the building, and native, drought-tolerant landscaping designed to reduce water use. With one-, two-, and three-bedroom floor plans, a playground, community room, and resource coordination, Casa De La Mora is intentionally designed to support disabled individuals, young adults experiencing homelessness, and low-income renters seeking a stable place to call home.

The community’s Grand Opening and Dedication ceremony, held on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, brought together partners and community leaders to recognize the importance of this achievement. Governor Bob Ferguson and U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell joined the celebration alongside project partners, including ZBA Architecture, M.C. Lundgren, and Beacon’s project team. The ceremony offered a meaningful moment of reflection, community, and fellowship, honoring the collective effort required to bring Casa De La Mora to life.

Congratulations to Catholic Charities Housing Services, funders, project partners, and all team members whose dedication made this community possible. A huge thank you to project funders, which you can see here. Casa De La Mora stands as a powerful example of what can be accomplished through partnership, purpose, and a shared belief that everyone deserves access to quality affordable housing. As its doors open, Casa De La Mora represents not only a new home for residents, but also a confident step toward a stronger, more inclusive future for the Yakima community.

Playground
Casa De La Mora
Solar Panels
Unit Bathroom
Unit Bedroom
Unit Dining and Living Room
Community Space Kitchen

Mt Baker TOD Community Meeting Wrap Up

Posted by Alanna.Lopez@beacondevgroup.com on Fri, Nov 28, 2025 at 10:00 AM

Beacon, Construction, Family Housing, Urban/Mixed Use, Washington

On November 5^th, The Gardner House hosted a community meeting for the Mercy Housing and El Centro de la Raza project, Mt Baker TOD. This affordable housing project will be home to 400+ apartment units, a 35,000-square-foot childcare and education center, in partnership with the University of Washington. The community will also have open spaces up to 20,000square feet and 4,300 square feet in community-serving commercial spaces. The Mt Baker TOD community engagement team set up the meeting to connect with the community, share how their input has impacted the project, and host a QA on this emerging new development.

Project partners, Hewitt, 7 Directions, KPFF, Runberg Architecture Group, Walsh Construction and Beacon Development Group all participated in collaborating on the presentation. The project team mingled with community neighbors while enjoying some delicious bites from Sabor Delicioso, a graduate of El Centro de la Raza small business program. Guests explored the presentation boards that indicated the art concept, the timeline of construction, site design and much more.

The presentation kicked off with an introduction from Associate Director of El Centro de la Raza, Miguel Maestas. The presentation led to an engaging conversation with the audience leading to new connections and a future meeting to be hosted for the residents and business owners that live and work next to the project site.

The project team of Mt Baker TOD was thrilled to engage with neighbors during breakout sessions. Having one on one conversations between the project team and neighbors really exemplified how important it is to connect with one another and seek community feedback into upcoming projects.

Thank you to the Community Engagement team that coordinated and planned this meeting.

Photographs provided by El Centro de la Raza

(Left to Right) Keeanna Andres and Daniel Glenn with 7 Directions Architects/Planners
(Left to Right) Miguel Maestas with El Centro de la Raza, meeting guest and Bunthay Cheam, Community Engagement Consultant
Keeanna Andres with 7 Directions Architects/Planners
Jonathan Smith, Project Developer at Mercy Housing
Cindy Lopez, Housing Development Associate at El Centro de la Raza
Miguel Maestas, Associate Director of El Centro de la Raza

Ballington Flats – A Groundbreaking Occasion for New Affordable Housing

Posted by Alanna.Lopez@beacondevgroup.com on Tue, Nov 4, 2025 at 4:37 PM

Beacon, Family Housing, Washington

Ballington Flats Under Construction

Ballington Flats is a new affordable housing complex, constructed in partnership with Volunteers of America Western Washington, SMR Architects, Dawson Construction and Beacon Development Group

The project received $20 million in grant funding from Skagit County, the City of Burlington, The Home Depot Foundation, The Housing Trust Fund and the Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program. Ballington Flats is supported by the North Star Initiative, a public-private partnership uniting governments, housing and health providers, and first responders to provide effective care and housing for neighbors experiencing chronic homelessness in Skagit County.

Ballington Flats has six buildings, housing 42 units and will have resident accessible amenities like a community room, laundry facility, kitchen, offices, outdoor spaces and gardens along with community resources.

The Groundbreaking event took place on October 16^th, 2025. High profile county leaders attended like Burlington mayor Bill Aslett and Skagit County Commissioner Lisa Janicki. The community and its leaders are thrilled about the opportunity for more housing for Skagit County residents. Beacon is proud to be a part of the team that will bring Ballington Flats to life.

Four Amigos Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Posted by Alanna.Lopez@beacondevgroup.com on Tue, May 6, 2025 at 9:44 PM

Beacon, Family Housing, Uncategorized, Washington

On Thursday, April 10th, Beacon Development Group proudly attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of the Four Amigos Beloved Community in Seattle’s Columbia City neighborhood. The event drew a large and vibrant crowd, including local political leaders, construction partners, and faith leaders.

The celebration began with a powerful lineup of speeches, spirited performances by students from José Martí, and a special appearance by Larry Gossett, a founding member of the Four Amigos. Guests were invited to tour the newly constructed community and enjoy a delicious spread of local delicacies.

It was a beautiful day to honor the achievement of this new development. As Phase 2—the Columbia City Church of Hope—nears completion, the Four Amigos Beloved Community continues to bring vibrancy, connection, and care to the neighborhood.

¡Viva los Four Amigos!

: Larry Gossett (Member of the Four Amigos) and Estela Ortega (Executive Director, El Centro de La Raza)

: Greg Wong (Deputy Mayor of External Relations) and Miguel Maestas (Associate Director, El Centro de La Raza)

Coming Soon: 234 Units of Affordable Housing

Posted by beacon on Mon, Apr 8, 2024 at 10:42 PM

Beacon, Construction, Family Housing, Urban/Mixed Use

Beacon is proud to announce the 50% completion for 3 Washington projects with 3 different sponsors! Korean Women’s Association’s Tacoma project, Shiloh Baptist Church’s 13^th and I Street projects, and El Centro de la Raza’s Four Amigos project are all halfway done!

Korean Women’s Association will provide 87 units of affordable housing project for low-income seniors with affirmative marketing towards AAPI seniors. This project includes a 1,200 square foot learning center where residents and community members can benefit from the programming offered by KWA.

Shiloh Baptist Church’s 13^th and I Street project consists of two building which in total offer 60 one- and two-bedroom units for residents making 30%-50% of area median income. The project offers on-site services such as GED, financial literacy, parenting, 12-step, and afterschool/homework help to residents.

And El Centro de la Raza’s Four Amigos Beloved Community will provide 87 units of affordable housing for families. The site will house a bilingual early childhood education program and classrooms, an office for Consejo Counselling and Referral Services, and a new home for the Church of Hope.

Stay tuned for their completions and grand openings in late 2024 and early 2025!

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/

Funding for the Korean Women’s Association’s 88 Units of Low-Income Senior Housing

Posted by beacon on Mon, Mar 13, 2023 at 4:16 PM

Beacon, Construction, Family Housing, Urban/Mixed Use, Washington

Beacon is proud to announce the financial closing of KWA 15^th & Tacoma for the Korean Women’s Association. The new building in downtown Tacoma will include 88 units of deeply affordable housing for seniors, with a focus for seniors with limited English proficiency. To support residents’ ability to age in place, an onsite social services coordinator will assist residents identify, access, and coordinate services. The building will also include a 2,300 square foot Learning Center where residents and community members can benefit from events and programs of the Korean Women’s Association, including an onsite meal program.

Rendering of Korean Women Association by Environmental Works

Korean Women’s Association’s 15^th & Tacoma project is made possible through funds from the City of Tacoma, Tacoma Community Redevelopment Association, Pierce County, Pierce County Community Development Corporation, the Washington Housing Trust Fund, the HUD 202 program, Key Bank, Key Community Development Corporation, Heritage Bank, Federal Home Loan Bank, and the Washington State Housing Finance Commission. Design and construction partners include Environmental Works and Marpac Construction.

Grand Reopening of Frederick Douglas Haynes Apartments

Posted by beacon on Thu, May 5, 2022 at 7:38 PM

Beacon, California, Construction, Family Housing

Grand Opening Event in front of newly renovated community room and bbq patio area.

Grand Opening Event in front of newly renovated community room and BBQ area.

On April 12^th, 2022, The Board of Third Baptist Gardens, in partnership with HumanGood Affordable Housing, celebrated the completion of the extensive renovations of Frederick Douglas Haynes Apartments. Under the redevelopment oversight of Beacon Development Group, the six building, 104-unit redevelopment included fully renovated apartments with all new electrical, plumbing, and all new kitchens, bathrooms, flooring in addition to a new community room, courtyard, children’s play structure, resident services coordinator’s office and resident BBQ area.

FD Haynes Apartments is a multi-family affordable housing community located in the historic Fillmore neighborhood of San Francisco, developed in the mid-1970s by Third Baptist Church, one of the oldest African American Churches in the city dating back to the mid-1800s.

The apartments were named after Pastor Frederick Douglas Haynes Sr. who led the church for over 38 years and built Haynes Apartments to provide affordable housing to African American families. Since 1976, the church has been led by Reverend Amos Brown, who has been a civic leader and advocate for keeping African Americans in San Francisco.

Chuck Austin Place Grand Opening

Posted by beacon on Tue, Feb 1, 2022 at 8:01 PM

Beacon, Family Housing, Special Needs, Washington

Photo by Edison Creative Group (Valleyford, WA)

On the 246^th birthday of the US Marine Corps, Beacon joined more than 100 veterans and elected officials to celebrate the opening of Yakima Housing Authority’s (YHA) Chuck Austin Place. The project is located on the former Yakima Armory which was donated to YHA through a federal property disposition program. It provides 14 studios of permanent housing, 17 one-bedroom units, and 10 two-bedroom units for homeless singles and families.

Photo by Edison Creative Group (Valleyford, WA)

The 12,000 SF of social services space will provide comprehensive services in one location for homeless veterans in the Yakima community. Yakima Neighborhood Health Services will operate a primary care clinic and additional social service office space will be occupied by Veterans Administration Supportive Housing (VASH) case managers and Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) case managers. This project addresses the need in Yakima for housing and services for homeless veterans in the community.

Frederick Douglas Haynes Apartments & Castle Argyle Construction Update

Posted by beacon on Mon, Aug 2, 2021 at 3:13 PM

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

New landscaping, walkways, and building wayfinding at Frederick Douglas Haynes Apartments.

New cabinetry and appliances in resident units at Frederick Douglas Haynes Apartments.

The redevelopment of the 104-unit Frederick Douglas Haynes Apartments in San Francisco, CA and 94-unit Castle Argyle Apartments in Los Angeles have both reached 50% completion. Each Community started extensive rehab in August 2020, the completed phase 1 redevelopment of Frederick Douglas Haynes included the renovation of all units in three buildings which also encompassed the property management office, laundry room and community room. New landscaping, walkways, repaved parking lots, and mailbox locations have also been installed.

Restored original signage at Castle Argyle Apartments.

New cabinetry and appliances in residential units at Castle Argyle Aprartments.

As we cross 50% project completion at Castle Argyle, much of the seismic foundation work has been completed and new sheer walls have been extended to the 7^th floor. A new elevator shaft has been constructed, and the total remodel of half the resident units is nearly done. The restoration of key architectural features in the coming work will showcase the building’s classic look.

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