Media release

The Seattle Housing Authority has completed construction and leasing of Salish Landing, a new 82-unit housing community for people with low incomes. Salish Landing is located at 6955 Delridge Way SW in West Seattle, the site of SHA’s former Lam Bow Apartments, which were destroyed by fire in 2016. The new building adds 31 more units of affordable housing than were previously on the site.

The new community’s name, Salish Landing, honors the diversity of tribes and Indigenous people of the greater Puget Sound region and their connection to the sea, lakes and rivers that support life. 

In the wake of the 2016 fire, SHA provided relocation housing options for residents. Former residents who were displaced by the fire and redevelopment have been invited to return as residents of the new Salish Landing if they wish.                

The five-story apartment building features 1, 2- and 3-bedroom apartments that surround a large courtyard and playground. The lobby features a small library and gathering space. A separate community room provides space for larger groups, classes and activities. 

The sustainable design includes large windows that allow for natural daylighting, spacious kitchens and full-size energy-efficient appliances, photovoltaic panels that provide renewable energy through a partnership with Seattle City Light, a large underground detention vault that captures storm water to protect nearby Longfellow Creek, enhanced ventilation systems with heat recovery to improve indoor air quality, unit finishes that reduce allergens for those with respiratory conditions, 10 units that are fully ADA-friendly and accessible, laundry rooms on each floor and in-unit laundry in 3-bedroom units, 80 parking spaces, secure bike storage, and resident storage units. The location is in close proximity to public transit, including Metro’s H Line Rapid Ride.

The North Delridge Neighborhood Council, Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association, Delridge Neighborhood District Council and other community members provided input on the design and construction of Salish Landing.

Construction was made possible by Wells Fargo Bank, Seattle Office of Housing, Washington State Housing Finance Commission and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The general contractor was Walsh Construction and SMR was the architect. 309 jobs were created in the building of Salish Landing, including 19 Section 3 hires, resulting in a total of 123,000 labor hours across all trades. 

Photo: William P. Wright, William Wright Photography