Ethiopian Village Grand Opening

Posted by beacon on Tue, Sep 5, 2023 at 4:30 PM

Beacon, Construction, Project Openings, Senior Housing, Urban/Mixed Use, Washington

Members of Ethiopian Community in Seattle, Beacon Development Group, and HumanGood Affordable Housing celebrated the grand opening of Ethiopian Village over traditional Ethiopian food, coffee, and wine. Ethiopian Village is made possible by Ethiopian Community in Seattle and HumanGood Affordable Housing partnering to provide 90 units of culturally appropriate, affordable senior housing. This new project synergizes with the existing community center which was renovated and expanded to meet the current and future needs of the Ethiopian Community in Seattle.

One of the most prominent features of Ethiopian Village is the large vinyl prints which grace the sides of the Ethiopian Village with murals of Ethiopian traditions, motifs, and values. These murals were designed by a local artist from the community.

The building is connected to the renovated ECS headquarters and a coffee shop to recognize the social tradition of meeting over coffee, and the beginning of a community. Ethiopian Village welcomes all residents who meet the income qualifications, and residents do not need to be Ethiopian to live in the community.

Ethiopian Village is currently accepting applications from low-income seniors 55 years and older.

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.

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.

Northaven West Grand Opening

Posted by beacon on Wed, Aug 31, 2022 at 5:12 PM

Beacon, Construction, Project Openings, Urban/Mixed Use, Washington

On Saturday, August 6^th, staff from HumanGood Affordable Housing, US Department of Housing and Urban Development, and local elected officials came together to celebrate the grand opening of Northaven West. The festivities included a community picnic and music from The West Seattle Band.

Northaven West was built in partnership with Northaven Senior Housing and HumanGood Affordable Housing. The original Northaven property was developed under the Section 236 program 50+ years ago. The new NHW building was built on the surface parking lot and brings 82 additional units of affordable housing for independent living seniors while offering amenities including an outdoor garden area, library, and campus-wide wellness activities.

Those living at Northaven West enjoy walkable access to shopping, medical facilities, parks, and the Northgate Light Rail Station.

HumanGood Affordable Housing and the Filipino Community of Seattle Celebrate the Filipino Community Village Grand Opening

Posted by beacon on Thu, Jul 14, 2022 at 4:30 PM

Beacon, Construction, Project Openings, Urban/Mixed Use, Washington

On June 2022, the Filipino Community of Seattle (FCS), local community leaders, and HumanGood Affordable Housing staff celebrated the grand opening of the Filipino Community Village. This new development brings 94 units of affordable housing to Rainier Valley for low-income seniors earning up to 30%, 50%, and 60% of area median income.

Situated adjacent to the FCS Community Center, residents and visitors to the space have access to the FCS’s food bank, community activities, and other programming. This project additionally brings to the community an Innovative Learning Center to provide resources and a space for STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) programs for young people in Rainier Valley. The project also incorporates a spectacular multi-panel mural by artist Eliseo Silva which depicts in great detail extensive elements of Filipino history, culture, and the local immigrant experience.

The work doesn’t stop. FCS looks forward to breaking ground on Filipino Community Phase II adjacent to this space very soon, bringing 50 – 60 more units of affordable housing for low-income families to Rainier Valley.

HopeWorks Station II and Colby Avenue Center Groundbreakings

Posted by beacon on Fri, May 25, 2018 at 9:47 AM

Beacon, Family Housing, Special Needs, Urban/Mixed Use, Washington

Beacon Development Group is proud to announce the financial closing and groundbreaking of two new affordable housing projects in Everett, WA: HopeWorks Station II and The Colby Avenue Youth Center.

Conceptual rendering of HopeWorks Station II

HopeWorks Station II is sponsored by Housing Hope and HopeWorks and is located within the Everett Station District neighborhood on the 3300 block of Broadway in downtown Everett.

This new transit oriented, mixed-use development will provide affordable housing dedicated to serving individuals and small families who enter the residential program through homelessness or who are very low income. It will offer a Workforce Development Center comprised of food-focused culinary training programs, career counseling and confidence building, offering sustainable career pathways. The residential portion of the project will consist of 65 apartments: 28 studios, 27 one-bedrooms and 10 two-bedroom units dedicated to empowering disadvantaged veterans, families and youth towards self-sufficiency. For updated project information please click here.

The list of funders is extensive and includes predevelopment funding from Impact Capital, Low Income Housing Tax Credit equity from Enterprise, construction lending from JP Morgan Chase Bank, a Federal Home Loan Bank AHP award, New Markets Tax Credits allocated from Enterprise and Northern Trust, a bridge loan from Enterprise Community Loan Fund, public funding from the State of WA, City of Everett and Snohomish County, social investors and corporate, foundation and private donors from the community.

Conceptual Renderings of Cocoon House

The Colby Avenue Youth Center is Cocoon House’s new 31,848 square foot facility that will include a 4,200 SF youth drop-in center, social service and program space, and housing with 40 units for homeless youth and young adults. Cocoon House’s goal in creating this new building is to provide homeless youth in Snohomish County with access to a full array of housing and services in one, safe, secure location. The ground-floor youth day center will include a commercial kitchen, large common room, laundry area, shower rooms, computer room, music room, counseling offices and a visiting nurse primary care office. Cocoon House’s outreach, homeless prevention and administrative offices will also be located on this floor. The 40 units of housing, located on the second and third floors, will include 20 SRO units of transitional housing for 15 – 17 year old youth and 20 units of permanent supportive housing units for 18 – 24 year old young adults. The housing areas include common area kitchens and living rooms for residents to gather, eat and socialize. Twenty-four hour staffing and intensive case management support will also be provided by Cocoon House.

The list of funders includes WA State Dept of Commerce, Snohomish County, City of Everett, City of Marysville, Peoples Bank and Cocoon House.

Filipino Community Village Awarded City of Seattle Funding

Posted by beacon on Fri, Feb 23, 2018 at 9:27 AM

Beacon, Senior Housing, Urban/Mixed Use, Washington

In December 2017, Mayor Jenny Durkan and the City of Seattle announced affordable housing funding awards for projects across the City of Seattle, including Filipino Community Village.

Filipino Community Village is a 94 unit project in Rainier Valley that will serve low-income seniors earning up to 30%, 50%, and 60% of area median income. The project is sponsored by the Filipino Community of Seattle (FCS) in partnership with HumanGood Affordable Housing, Beacon Development Group’s parent company. Beacon will act as the developer for the project.

The project will include community and amenity spaces for residents as well as non-housing space for an Innovative Learning Center to provide computer access and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) programming from young people in the Rainier Valley. The project is located immediately adjacent to the existing FCS Community Center, where residents will have access to FCS’s food bank, community activities, and other programming.

More on the project and the funding announcement as covered by the Seattle Weekly. The project is scheduled to break ground in 2019.

Filipino Community of Seattle Executive Director Sheila Burrus speaks at the City press conference.

Conceptual rendering of Filipino Community Village (current Filipino Community Village community center in foreground)

Conceptual rendering of Filipino Community Village (current Filipino Community of Seattle community center in foreground)

Plaza Roberto Maestas Honored with 3 National Awards by AIA/HUD, AHTCC, and PCBC

Posted by beacon on Fri, Jun 9, 2017 at 8:48 AM

Awards & Recognition, Beacon, Press, Urban/Mixed Use, Washington

Beacon Development Group is excited to share that El Centro de la Raza’s Plaza Roberto Maestas has been awarded the 2017 AIA/HUD Secretary’s Housing and Community Design Award for Creating Community Connections. In addition, the project has received an honorable mention for the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition’s Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Awards in the Metropolitan/Urban category and a 2017 Award of Merit for Affordable Housing in PCBC’s Golden Nugget Awards.

We are honored that Plaza Roberto Maestas has been recognized as one of the most outstanding affordable housing projects in the country.

Plaza Roberto Maestas is a landmark equitable transit-oriented development project in Beacon Hill, Seattle. The project incorporates the community’s vision into a new mixed-use development in a rapidly gentrifying neighborhood. Completed in September 2016, Plaza Roberto Maestas consists of two six-story buildings that flank an outdoor plaza, which opens onto a Festival Street adjacent to a light rail station.

Through nearly eight years of planning with the community, El Centro de la Raza transformed a surfacing parking lot into a multicultural hub for the neighborhood that incorporates 112 units of affordable housing, local small business retail and office, community space, and a bilingual child development center. Plaza Roberto Maestas directly addresses the urgent need for affordable housing and economic opportunity and is a model for community-inspired transit-oriented development. The project currently houses 291 individuals, including 133 children, and serves a diverse population that includes family, workforce, and senior residents.

Beacon Development Group served as El Centro de la Raza’s development consultant on this innovative project, working alongside SMR Architects and Walsh Construction. Congratulations to El Centro de la Raza and the entire team on this inspiring project and well-deserved recognition!

Plaza Roberto Maestas Grand Opening

Posted by beacon on Tue, Oct 25, 2016 at 5:06 PM

Beacon, Family Housing, Project Openings, Urban/Mixed Use, Washington

A full plaza at the October 1 Grand Opening celebration

El Centro de la Raza celebrated the Grand Opening of their recently completed Plaza Roberto Maestas – Beloved Community on Saturday, October 1st. The 112 unit project serves a broad range of incomes in 1,
2, and 3 bedroom units adjacent to the Beacon Hill light rail station. Since 2011, Beacon has worked alongside El Centro de la Raza to realize their goal of providing a truly community inspired affordable housing and community space adjacent to their headquarters. The project includes new classroom space for El Centro de la Raza’s Jose Marti Child Development Center, a multi-cultural community center, retail space, office space, and a large public/private plaza.

The residential development cost was approximately $32 million (not including donated land); the project’s total development cost was approximately $45 million. Permanent and construction financing was provided by US Bank Community Development Corporation, the City of Seattle, the Washington State Housing Finance Commission, Washington Community Reinvestment Association, and a private capital campaign. Pre-development funding was provided by Enterprise Community Partners and Impact Capital.

PRM’s new classrooms for El Centro de la Raza’s Jose Marti Child Development Center

The much needed housing is already 100% leased with a 5-year wait list. Two of the three retail bays are leased to the Seattle Metropolitan Credit Unit and the locally owned café The Station. El Centro de la Raza’s Business Opportunity Center will provide business development courses and micro-lending programs to local small business owners. The project will be a model for community-inspired, transited-oriented development in Seattle.

In addition, Beacon Development Group is happy to announce that we are moving into the project’s office space. We are excited to move to a new home that illustrates our commitment to our work and community. Our move is planned for the end of November – stay tuned for an official moving announcement and our new contact details!

The Grand Opening was a community inspired event attended by Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, City Council members and officials, and members of the Beacon Hill neighborhood. The ribbon cutting was followed by multicultural performances from local groups to celebrate the diversity of Seattle and the mission of the El Centro de la Raza.

It has been our privilege to work in collaboration with SMR Architects, Third Place Design Co-operative, 7Directions Architects, and Walsh Construction Co. We are proud to be part of a team working to expand opportunities for working families and individuals in Seattle. Congratulations to El Centro de la Raza on creating a truly “beloved community”!

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