Urban Impact a Rainier Beach faith based non-profit receives $5.9 million for its affordable housing development Impact Family Village

Urban Impact and Mercy Housing Northwest will receive up to $5.9 million for Impact Family Village, 61 units of permanent housing for families in Rainier Beach. The units will offer a mix of affordability levels – from families earning minimum wage to those earning about $40,000 a year (family of three at 50% area median income). Also, 12 units will be set aside for households with a member who is disabled. The ground floor commercial space will be home to Rainier Health and Fitness, a nonprofit fitness facility run by Urban Impact, which is currently housed on the site and next door to ministry partner Emerald City Bible Fellowship church.

Mayor Mike McGinn, along with Office of Housing Director Rick Hooper, announced $27 million in funding for the construction of the new buildings, three of which are coming to the Rainer Valley. During a press conference, Mayor Mike McGinn said: “We continue to see the impacts of the economic recession as more individuals and families are finding themselves struggling to afford housing. The City’s investment will provide affordable apartments while creating living-wage construction and building operation and maintenance jobs.”

According to Gregory Davis, ECBF member and Rainier Beach neighborhood advocate “This project, along with other emerging initiatives in our neighborhood, will continue to help change the perception of Rainier Beach as a viable place to live, work, play, study and worship. I invite all Rainier Beach residents to get behind this project in whatever way they can. Our congratulations to Urban Impact and Mercy Housing Northwest for their stellar effort”