On January 12, LIHI celebrated the groundbreaking for a new senior housing project in Seattle's Central District. Construction is underway on the 61-unit development, located at 2010 South Jackson Street. The building will provide permanent supportive housing for homeless and low income seniors.

  

At the groundbreaking, Alan Castle, LIHI Board President, announced plans to name the building after legendary Seattle jazz and blues vocalist Ernestine Anderson. Jackson Street has a rich history of jazz music, and Ms. Anderson is one of the best known artists to emerge from Seattle. Her daughter, Shelley Young, was in attendance. She said that her mother, who is 84, still can't believe that there will be a building named after her. She thanked LIHI for honoring her mother while she is still alive, saying, "This is adding so much to her life right now."

 

 

 

Over 50 people turned out to celebrate with LIHI and pay tribute to Ernestine Anderson, including King County Council Chair Larry Gossett. He thanked LIHI for their work to create affordable housing in King County. "Nothing is more concrete for people who are disadvantaged than having a roof over their heads." He spoke about Ms. Anderson's dedication to the community, and added that the building would be "An outstanding tribute." Thanks to the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, guests were also treated to wonderful performances by local singers Josephine Howell and Leila Grant.

 

Council Chair Gossett and Shelley Young with Sharon Lee

Josephine Howell performs for the crowd.

 

Thank you to everyone who attended, and to the event sponsors US Bank and Enterprise. An especially big thanks to Cheeky Cafe, who prepared incredibly delicious food for everyone!

In December, the Home Depot Foundation announced that it will award LIHI with two grants. LIHI will receive $25,000 for the Cate Apartments in Seattle, which will be used to transform vacant retail space into a community room. The second grant, for $18,000, will be used at the Fleetwood Apartments in Olympia to paint and recarpet the community room, hallways, and common areas. The Foundation will also recruit staff fom Home Depot stores in the region to volunteer for both projects.

LIHI has joined up with Cars 4 Causes, America's #1 vehicle donation charity! If you have an old car that is rusting away in your driveway, consider donating it to LIHI. Cars 4 Causes makes it fast and easy to donate your vehicle, and donations are completely tax deductible.

 

Click here for more information.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently awarded LIHI $7.6 million for their Ballard Senior Housing project. LIHI plans to develop 51 units of affordable senior housing near the Ballard Public Library. The site will also include LIHI's second Urban Rest Stop, a free hygiene center for homeless individuals and families. According to Sharon Lee, LIHI's Executive Director, this was the only HUD Section 202 senior housing grant awarded in Seattle this year.

 

The Ballard project will help address the increasing demand for affordable senior housing. It is estimated that King County has 6,700 seniors on the waiting list for low-income housing.