Leschi House renderingSEATTLE – March 26, 2015 – Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) is reopening Leschi House, affordable senior housing located in Seattle’s International District, following a complete remodel and expansion that more than doubles the number of apartments. Leschi House is part of SHA’s Seattle Senior Housing Program, which provides approximately 1,000 apartments in 23 buildings for low-income senior citizens.
Leschi House was built in 1987 as a four-story, wood-framed apartment building with 34 one- and two-bedroom residential units. In August of 2013, a significant renovation and expansion of the 26-year-old building began. Leschi House now features 69 affordable apartments for seniors. The original 34 apartments have been completely remodeled and 35 brand new apartments have been constructed in a five-story addition. The renovated building and new construction include energy efficient building systems and materials that meet current Washington State Energy Code and Evergreen Sustainable Development Standards and Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards.
Exterior features include new lighting, landscaping and seating in the courtyard, raised planting boxes for community gardening, and a new camera security and intercom system for resident safety.
New and returning residents began moving into the newly renovated Leschi House in early March.
Funding for Leschi House renovation and construction was provided by Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Wells Fargo Affordable Housing Community Development Corporation, City of Seattle Office of Housing, Washington State Department of Commerce and Washington State Housing Finance Commission. The general contractor for construction and renovation was WG Clark.
About Seattle Housing Authority
The mission of the Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) is to enhance the Seattle community by creating and sustaining decent, safe and affordable living environments that foster stability and self-sufficiency for people with low incomes. SHA provides long-term, low-income rental housing and rental assistance to more than 29,000 people in the City of Seattle. SHA owns and operates approximately 9,000 units at more than 400 sites throughout the city. SHA also handles more than 10,000 Housing Choice Vouchers (also known as Section 8), enabling low-income residents to receive rental assistance in the private housing market. Approximately 11,000 SHA residents are elderly or disabled and about 9,500 are children. SHA, a public corporation established in 1939, is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners, two of whom are SHA residents. Commissioners are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council.