Developed on land leased by the Diocese of Olympia, the new BRIDGE community brings essential affordable housing for families in Seattle’s popular Ballard neighborhood
SEATTLE, Wash. (May 20, 2024) – BRIDGE Housing, the leading nonprofit affordable housing developer and manager on the West Coast, joined Seattle City Councilmember Dan Strauss, Reverend Melissa Skelton, and other civic and community leaders on Friday to celebrate the groundbreaking of St. Luke’s, an 84-unit affordable family housing community in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood.
The new studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartment homes, situated on the grounds of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, will be affordable for families earning up to 60% of the city’s Area Median Income. Planned amenities at the eight-story building include resident support services, a community room, shared laundry facilities on each floor, a rooftop deck and play area, and 21 parking stalls. St. Luke’s will offer convenient access to the neighborhood’s many amenities, including six grocery stores, high frequency bus service to downtown and the University of Washington, and a future light rail transit station.
Friday’s groundbreaking celebration was attended by dozens of government leaders, housing officials, financing partners, and community partners.
“As a Seattle native, I am thrilled to celebrate the groundbreaking of this beautiful new affordable housing community for families in the vibrant neighborhood of Ballard, which offers tremendous opportunities for residents,” said Ken Lombard, BRIDGE Housing’s President and CEO. “St. Luke’s embodies our ongoing commitment to forge new partnerships and deliver meaningful solutions to the profound housing crisis in Seattle, and all along the West Coast.”
“The vision for our next 100 years is to build a place where love dwells and community is nurtured,” said The Reverend Canon Britt Olson of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. “We are pleased to be working in partnership with BRIDGE Housing to provide this critical housing resource for our community. Along with affordable housing, we will provide affordable childcare, as well as a new church with space for neighborhood programs and events.”
“The St. Luke’s redevelopment project will bring desperately needed affordable housing right to the heart of Ballard, and this project represents more than just housing units. This project invests in the wellbeing of our neighbors and communities who make up the fabric of our city by ensuring our nurses, childcare providers, baristas, and bus drivers have a place to live in our neighborhood,” said Councilmember Dan Strauss. “I began working on this project in my first weeks in office and I am so excited to be breaking ground.”
The project is estimated to be completed in September of 2025.
“We celebrate the partnership between Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church, Bridge Housing, and community stakeholders who are laying the foundation for more than just a building; they’re contributing to heart of the Ballard community,” said Maiko Winkler-Chin, Director of the Seattle Office of Housing. “The Seattle Office of Housing is proud to be part this commitment and see our investment in equitable living spaces materialize in such a meaningful way. This development near Ballard Commons Park, the Ballard Library, and other community treasures underscores our dedication to creating vibrant, accessible neighborhoods where everyone can thrive and call home.”
“We’re honored to have played a role in bringing 84 units of affordable housing to the Ballard community,” said Alexandra Moravec, Vice President, Chase Community Development Banking. “JPMorgan Chase has been supporting Greater Seattle for more than 130 years and we’re committed to supporting BRIDGE Housing and projects like St. Luke’s that bring much needed affordable housing to the community, transforming the lives of families and individuals one unit at a time.”
Financing for St. Luke’s is provided by the Seattle Office of Housing; Seattle Housing Authority; Washington State Housing Finance Commission; National Affordable Housing Trust – UnitedHealth Group; and JPMorgan Chase. The architect is VIA Architects / Perkins Eastman, and the general contractor is Exxel Pacific, Inc.
About BRIDGE Housing
BRIDGE Housing is a leading nonprofit developer, owner and manager of high-quality affordable housing on the West Coast, with a mission to strengthen communities and improve lives. Founded in 1983, BRIDGE has participated in the creation of more than 21,000 affordable homes in California, Oregon and Washington, with a total development cost of $5.2 billion. Its current portfolio totals more than 13,000 apartments that are home to 30,000 residents, with another 8,000 units in the development pipeline.
