The Burien City Council recently placed on its consent agenda the selection of a project proposed by Habitat for Humanity as one of the City’s five affordable housing demonstration projects.
Habitat for Humanity is proposing a new housing development owner-occupied townhomes across 3.5 acres in central Burien at 511 & 515 S. 136th Street (map below).
Here’s more info from the city:
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- The homes will be considered affordable for people making 50 percent area median income (AMI).
- Planning has just begun, and construction could start as early as fall 2021.
- The development will include a community center and playground or play space, two fully accessible units, and 43 parking spaces.
- There will be consideration of critical areas, existing trees, increasing tree buffer next to SR 509, vehicular and pedestrian access, community center, and open space.
- The homes are reserved exclusively for home ownership by first-time home buyers. They will use a land trust program, with a fixed home price and a fixed appreciation value at 1.5 percent to ensure the permanent affordability of unit and entire development.
- There is also a sweat equity component, and volunteer labor will be used to keep building costs low.
The Affordable Housing Demonstration Program, launched in 2019, provides incentives and flexibility for the development of affordable housing during a defined period, providing the City with an opportunity to evaluate potential barriers to the construction of affordable housing and make recommendations on changes to development regulations.
