Entries tagged with “Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation” »

The YWCA Family Village at Issaquah, located at Highlands Drive NE and High Street NE, is an innovative, large-scale, environmentally progressive project designed to meet the Eastside’s needs for affordable housing and family services.

With 146 apartments for working families, child care and social services, the Family Village is leading the way for communities in this region and across the country to integrate affordable housing and family services into planned communities.

YWCA Family Village at Issaquah will be home to approximately 400 people – working families, people with disabilities and seniors who are seeking an affordable place to live, raise children, age comfortably, build fulfilling lives and contribute to their community.

The environmentally sustainable project will provide 146 apartments, ranging in size from studios to three-bedroom units.

The bulk of construction will occur in 2010 with families moving in the following year. The development will be a beautiful, seamless and comfortable “fit” within the existing master-planned community of Issaquah Highlands. Residential spaces, walkways and gathering areas will help foster a sense of place and neighborhood.

The YWCA is dedicated to strengthening the independence and stability of all community members.
• Parenting classes, job training, computer education and more.
• High-quality affordable child care with an estimated 150 spots for infants to school-aged children.
• Community meeting and outdoor gathering spaces, specifically requested by the Issaquah community, with safe pedestrian access to a King County transit hub.

• The City of Issaquah, through agreements with Port Blakely Communities which developed the Issaquah Highlands master-planned community, donated the parcel of land. The value of the land and in-kind support provided by the City exceeds $7 million.
• The YWCA is launching a $12 million capital campaign to help build and operate Family Village.
• The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation donated $1 million.
• Eastside cities contributed $1.5 million through their housing coalition.
• King County provided $2.25 million through direct support and credit enhancement.
• Washington State Housing Finance Commission awarded $12.6 million in federal stimulus dollars and $4 million in a tax credit equity allocation.
• The State Department of Commerce Housing Trust Fund joined in with $4 million.
• King County Housing Authority brings its ability to issue bonds and rent subsidies for qualified households.

For more information on the project and to keep up to date on the construction by subscribing to our RSS feed, please visit: www.ywcaworks.org

The YWCA’s mission is to advance the quality of life for women of all ages, races and faiths, and their families. In support of this mission, the YWCA provides services to meet critical needs, promote self-sufficiency, reduce violence,
eliminate racism and achieve equal opportunities for all people. These values are the foundation of the YWCA Family Village at Issaquah.