Happy New Year!

From Executive Director Sharon Lee

This year is the 20th Anniversary of LIHI! LIHI began in 1991 with the Aloha Inn, our first project to house homeless men, women and couples in Seattle's Queen Anne neighborhood. 

Thank you to our partners who helped launched LIHI off the ground. This includes Frank Chopp, Scott Morrow, Michael Reichart and our friends at the Archdiocesan Housing Authority, Fremont Public Association and SHARE.

I remember those very busy days 20 years ago of trying to incorporate LIHI, working to purchase the 57-unit Aloha Inn to house homeless people after SHARE occupied the Metro bus barn at Seattle Center, and lugging my newborn son Christopher around in his car seat while going from meeting to meeting!

The Metro bus barn made no sense as housing 20 years ago! And sadly still today, there are thousands of homeless people living in their cars, sleeping in tents, in doorways and under bridges.

LIHI has accomplished our mission by being building over 3,600 high quality affordable homes, providing supportive services for our residents, and advocating for housing justice. A huge thank you to our many funders, donors and supporters!

Today we own and manage one of the largest portfolios of housing in the region for low-income families, seniors, formerly homeless and disabled individuals. The Urban Rest Stop, which we opened 10 years ago, remains an innovative program to provide critically needed showers, laundry and hygiene services to help move people out of homelessness.

Despite the tough economy, LIHI continues to develop housing at a steady clip.　 We have secured funding for the Jackson Street Housing project in Seattle's Central Area for 61 units targeting low-income and homeless seniors (see article below).

This year we will complete construction of 62 units of housing for homeless men, women and couples in the University District. We are working on a new 40 to 60 unit project in Ballard that will include an Urban Rest Stop on the first floor.

The recession has increased demand for our housing. Last year we achieved 97% occupancy in our units. Looking forward to the future, we will continue to be aggressive in meeting the needs of low income and homeless people. Thank you for your continued support and here's to the next 20 years!　

LIHI Projects Moving Forward!

Jackson Street Housing - LIHI will be constructing a 61-unit project to house homeless and low-income seniors at 2010 South Jackson Street in the Central Area.  Last month, the City of Seattle awarded the project $2.7 million, King County awarded $500,000 and Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco awarded $650,000 in partnership with US Bank. See press release and Daily Journal of Commerce article.

University Apartments - LIHI's 62-unit project is under construction at 4719 12th Avenue NE in the University District. Outreach for leasing will begin in May 2011. Move-in is scheduled for August 1, 2011.  LIHI received Section 8 project-based assistance for 40 units through Seattle Housing Authority/Seattle Office of Housing and annual operating support from King County. Funding to provide supportive services to the residents was awarded to LIHI's partner on the project, Sound Mental Health, from King County and United Way.

Ballard Housing - LIHI purchased property in Ballard for workforce housing and for a second Urban Rest Stop.

LIHI would like to thank our funding partners who make it possible to provide quality, affordable housing for those in need.

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