Seattle Housing honored for community service

Seattle chapter of the American Institute of Architects recognizes "commitment to outstanding design"

SEATTLE—May 31, 2008—Citing successful redevelopment at NewHolly, Rainier Vista and High Point, the Seattle chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) honored Seattle Housing Authority with its 2008 Community Service Award at its annual awards dinner.

Each year the AIA recognizes an individual or organization for their achievement in reaching significant community service goals while applying strong architectural skills and values.

“Seattle Housing Authority has made an extraordinary commitment to outstanding design as a right, not a privilege,” said the AIA Honors Committee of Seattle Housing Authority’s nomination.

“Recognizing that the design of places has great bearing on social, economic and physical well-being, the Housing Authority has engaged in a major initiative to redefine and renew its housing stock, transforming former low-income enclaves of poverty into award-winning mixed-income communities at NewHolly, Rainier Vista and High Point,” the committee explained.

The AIA further applauded the agency’s work, noting that not only do the revitalized communities have an impact locally, but they can also be held up as models of urban design success that other cities throughout the country can look to. The Institute also commended SHA for accomplishing its goals while working in partnership with both private homebuilders and nonprofit developers.

When redevelopment of the three communities is complete, Seattle Housing Authority will have added more than 1,000 units of low-income housing serving residents with incomes below 80 percent of area median income, in addition to the replacement of the housing for extremely low-income residents that was there originally.

In addition to low income, affordable and market rate housing, the communities have a number of amenities—including educational programs, social services, parks and more—benefiting their own residents as well as surrounding neighborhoods.

The NewHolly Neighborhood Campus, for example, brings together many nonprofit partners, and features a Seattle Public Library branch, along with classroom space for South Seattle Community College, Head Start, a pre-school, youth tutoring classes and employment programs.

Construction of a new Boys & Girls Club facility is underway at Rainier Vista, while the community’s Neighborhood House Center offers a computer lab, Head Start programs, and a range of services to help low-income residents gain skills to move toward self sufficiency.

High Point features a newly remodeled Community Center, a Seattle Public Library branch, and a new clinic providing medical and dental services. A new LEED Gold-certified Neighborhood Center is scheduled to be built next year.