Published May 2001

Group offers affordable housing, helping hand

By John Wolcott
Herald Business Journal Editor

Intercommunity Housing, a Seattle nonprofit corporation, has begun construction of 50 low-income housing units on the site of its Lincoln Way apartments in Lynnwood, along with an expansion of the development's community center. The new units should be ready for occupancy this summer.

The units are designed for families with annual incomes between $13,140 and $36,300, with the higher allowance reserved for those with large families. Ten units are reserved for low-income families with a disabled member, and 10 more units are set aside for formerly homeless families who need support services, provided by Volunteers of America.

"We're always looking for opportunities for new affordable housing, particularly in Snohomish and Pierce counties right now. We hope to build 300 more units in these two counties over the next three years," said Walter Zisette, Community Developer for Intercommunity Housing. "We try to leverage a combination of private and public resources for our developments, including the Washington State Housing Trust Fund, low-income housing tax credits and grants from sources such as Costco and Microsoft's Gates Foundation."

Finding affordable property zoned for multi-family housing is increasingly difficult, Zisette said.

"We have to compete in the market with private developers. We usually pay the market price, but we can sometimes persuade property owners to work with us because they have an interest in providing affordable housing for low-income families. Also, we have a good reputation and track record," Zisette said.

Family Tree Apartments, on 19th Avenue SE near Costco in south Everett, is Intercommunity Housing's "flagship" development, with 151 units built in 1994, financed by Seafirst Bank/Bank of America, Washington Mutual, Pacific First, Fannie Mae and the Mercy Loan Fund.

It's home to 160 children and many single-parent households. Residents have access to a community center, day-care facility, computer lab, family support groups and — in a unique partnership with Catholic Community Services in Snohomish County — access to CCS counseling and support programs.

The organization also has formed community alliances with such partners as Providence Health System, Snohomish County's Healthy Communities program, Housing Hope, Campfire Boys and Girls and the YMCA, among others.

Powered by the energy of several religious orders of sisters, a dedicated staff, public and private funding and able volunteers — Intercommunity Housing is making a significant difference in the lives of hundreds of low-income families in Western Washington. But the families, many of them single-parent families, receive much more than quality housing at subsidized rates.

Intercommunity Housing also provides residents with help in finding jobs, learning computer skills, education programs, tutoring, health care and encouraging self-esteem.

"We build and manage properties to provide housing for low-income families, but we also do much more," Zisette said. "We make sure our residents are getting the kind of services they need to keep their lives stable, including job training or helping them with health or transportation problems that keep them from their jobs."

Intercommunity Housing is a collaborative effort of the Edmonds Dominicans, Sisters of Providence, Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, Tacoma Dominicans and Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. It was founded to develop quality, affordable, service-enriched housing for the economically poor, especially families with children. The organization is also a member of the national Mercy Housing System, headquartered in Denver, Colo.

Throughout Western Washington, Intercommunity Housing has established 585 living units, including 150 at Appian Way in Kent; 104 units at Evergreen Vista, Olympia; 151 units at Family Tree, Everett; 30 units in Ferndale; and 50 units each at Lincoln Way, Everett, and Tahoma View in Tacoma, with more in the planning or construction stages.

For more information, contact Intercommunity Housing, 1920 East Madison, Seattle, WA 98122, call 206-223-1051, or contact Zisette by email at wzisette@mercyhousing.org. More information about the organization is also available on the Internet at www.mercyhousing.org.

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