SEATTLE—August 10, 2004—Ballard House residents met today to discuss the transition of Ballard House to a senior-designated building.

This change will allow SHA to offer very low-income seniors the opportunity to live in public housing buildings where there is a community of seniors and associated services specifically targeted for their needs and interests. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently approved SHA’s application for this special designation.

SHA plans eventually to have three geographically-dispersed public housing buildings with this designation. The first senior designated building is Westwood Heights in West Seattle, which is fully operational. Based on market research, Ballard is a neighborhood which appeals to seniors, and would provide for a senior-designated building in North Seattle.

Once the transition is completed, new residents who move into the building must be 62 years old or older. However, no current resident, regardless of age, will be required to relocate because of this designation. Any resident who chooses to move out of Ballard House will be entitled to special relocation options.

Residents who want to stay within the SHA system of housing, but prefer not to live at Ballard House once it becomes a senior-designated building, will be able to transfer to one of the other 27 SHA high-rise buildings. Some younger disabled residents may also qualify to receive a Housing Choice (Section 8) voucher in order to rent in the private housing market.

In order to make the building more attractive to seniors, SHA intends to make about $1.5 million in improvements. New carpeting will be installed in the bedrooms, living rooms and hallways. Microwaves will be added to the kitchens. Water fixtures and door knobs will be replaced in each unit. The first floor common area will be upgraded with new furnishings and equipment, based on resident input.

SHA will also make some other physical improvements including upgrades to the water lines, boiler replacement, air ventilation system and intercom system.

Residents at the meeting had varied opinions regarding the transition. One resident in his early twenties expressed the desire to move in order to be around people his own age and those with similar interests.

Others, like John Christopher, a Ballard House resident of 12 years, said that he believes the transition will be good and that it will pull the community together.