Permanent Housing Helps Stabilize Lives at Brettler Family Place

“This is the beginning of something great for me,” said Joyce, as she headed into Brettler Family Place in 2011 to see her new apartment for the first time. Before moving in, she had lived out of her car. Now, she was stepping into a third floor apartment with great views over Magnuson Park, to Lake Washington and the Cascade mountains beyond.

Brettler Family Place was built in the Sand Point neighborhood of Seattle, Washington, one of the city’s most desirable neighborhoods. The $14.3 million project was built by local developers Solid Ground and Common Ground, partnered with Grow America in its NDC Corporate Equity Fund.

The goal of Brettler was simple. After a year of construction, it provided homes to families who mainly lived out of shelters and transitional housing facilities. This would give them affordable permanent homes.

“I’ve never had my own permanent housing before,” said 20-year-old Justine, who was moving into an apartment in Brettler with her young daughter Analiyah. Justine, who was kicked out of her family home as a teenager, had gone through some difficult times. But, with Brettler as a stable housing option, she was able to pursue studies in nursing at a nearby community college.

A dozen such families moved in on March 7, 2011, with the promise that its 52 units would have occupants within the following few weeks. All of these would provide housing to people previously experiencing homelessness.

^$5.5

Million

in Low-Income Housing Tax Credits

The construction project received $5.5 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC – define) provided by the NDC Corporate Equity Fund. Each unit has 2 – 4 bedrooms and is designated to house formerly homeless families below 30% Area Median Income (AMI – define), with tenants asked to pay no more than 30% of their income. The location also has convenient access to public transportation and Magnuson Park, a major public greenspace.

Families living in Brettler receive onsite supportive case management services, resources, and referrals. And classes are offered for both children and adults focusing on employment, increasing education, English language skills, as well as parenting and financial fitness. It provides a nice balance between recreation spaces, and educational and cultural opportunities.

“Moving here is a dream come true,” said Joy Sparks, who was moving in with her two children. “It’s a beautiful place for me to raise my kids and get my life back together.”

“New housing at Sand Point fits right into the goals of the 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness,” said Dan Brettler, CEO of Car Toys and the co-chair of the Committee to End Homelessness in King County. “It’s fantastic to see Solid Ground doing more to help our community end homelessness.”

Although it is not fully solving the problem of homelessness in the Sand Point area, the Brettler Family Place project is providing a key service to families and helping them to live better lives.