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May, 2006

Housing Resources Group Celebrates 
the Grand Opening of The Genesee

(Seattle, WA) – Housing Resources Group is proudly celebrating the grand opening of The Genesee on May 18, 2006, located in Seattle Housing Authority’s Rainier Vista Redevelopment. Each and every apartment home was thoughtfully designed for those living with disabilities. This event marks the completion of 50 units of newly constructed affordable housing and recognizes the contributions of key collaborators for this project.

In 2005, HRG made financing history with The Genesee, the first project in the US to combine two previously incompatible funding sources. The Genesee was funded by HUD’s Section 811 program for people with disabilities, and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program, among many other generous sources of funding. Before the Tax Reform Act of 2000, these two major subsidy programs could not be combined in one project. A large and committed Seattle team of experts, led by HRG’s development staff, spent four years working with HUD and the Treasury Department to iron out the thousands of details that made this project possible. The result is a trailblazing funding package that may be used to create many other exceptional multifamily projects for people in need of housing throughout the United States.

Notable attendees include Adrienne Quinn; Office of Housing Director for the City of Seattle; Seattle Housing Authority Executive Director, Tom Tierney; AIDS Housing of Washington Executive Director, Betsy Lieberman; Deputy Regional Director for the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, Martha Dilts; MA Leanord from National Equity Fund, Inc.; and Housing Resources Group Executive Director, Sarah Rick Lewontin.

This event is being co-sponsored by National Equity Fund, Inc. and Washington Mutual.

About HRG

Housing Resources Group is a 26 year old, non-profit organization that develops and manages rental housing affordable to low-income people in Seattle’s downtown and other neighborhoods. We also provide housing development assistance to other non-profits. Our mission is to make excellent affordable housing available for the residents and communities we serve. Residents include individuals, families, seniors, and people with special needs with incomes ranging from 0% to 80% of Area Median Income. HRG’s portfolio consists of 27 properties with 1,567 apartments, with one project (70 apartments) under construction; HRG is currently developing five projects on behalf of other organizations.

Link to related article in Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce
http://www.djc.com/news/re/11178719.html

April 5, 2005

Mayor Opens New Housing for Families Living with Disabilities or Previous Homelessness

Housing Resources Group celebrates opening of Judkins Park Apartments, the first new housing for families in the Central Area in over 20 years.

Judkins Park Apartments Grand Opening
Thursday, April 7th, 2005
Judkins Park Apartments #303 and Courtyard
23rd Ave. South and South Judkins Street
3:45 PM Program

Speakers:
Mayor Greg Nickels
Quentin Kuhrau, Board President Housing Resources Group
Sally Wolf, Board President AIDS Housing of Washington
Sarah Rick Lewontin, Executive Director Housing Resources Group
Patricia Hairston, Judkins Park Apartments resident

Housing Resources Group (HRG), one of the largest private nonprofit affordable housing providers in the Pacific NW, announces the grand opening of the Judkins Park Apartments. This project responds to the critical need for affordable housing both for working families and for households living with physical disabilities. All units will be affordable to families making between 30% and 60% of median household income, currently $21,000 to $42,000 annually for a three-person household.

This 16-unit project consists of three building clusters with two-story town homes above single-story apartments oriented around a central courtyard overlooking Judkins Park and Playfield.

Judkins Park Apartments will include 8 apartments for individuals or families with very low incomes who are living with physical disabilities including HIV/AIDS or who have been homeless.

Housing Resources Group Executive Director Sarah Rick Lewontin stated "Housing Resources Group is excited to partner with AIDS Housing of Washington to provide safe, dignified housing in which families with very low to moderate incomes can afford to live. Judkins Park Apartments mark the culmination of a collaboration among HRG, Seattle Office of Housing, neighbors, the business community, funders and AHW. AHW has provided critical support and assistance for this project since its inception and will coordinate services for future residents with partner agencies."

Lewontin continued, "In the last five years, the housing crisis in Seattle has had a dramatic effect on low-income families. Rents have soared, and the number of new apartments has not kept pace with the growing need, resulting in increased demand for housing, particularly for very-low income households. In the Central Area of Seattle, including the Judkins Park Neighborhood, the average rent for a two-bedroom, one-bath apartment is almost $1,100. A similar two-bedroom in Judkins Park Apartments will be in the $450 to $970 range, depending on family income."

About Housing Resources Group
Housing Resources Group (HRG) was created in 1980 to serve as a catalyst in making Seattle more livable for all her residents by creating and managing affordable housing close to where people live, work, and play. Today, HRG is committed to providing quality, permanent and safe affordable housing throughout the region. HRG operates nearly 1,600 apartments in 25 different locations, advocates for support and enhancement of critical housing programs and services, and consults with other organizations to fill the current dramatic need for affordable housing in King County. Because of excellent architectural design and sound management, HRG buildings are considered landmark properties in their neighborhoods. For more information on HRG, visit www.hrg.org.

About AIDS Housing of Washington
Founded in 1988, the mission of AIDS Housing of Washington (AHW) is to increase and sustain the quality and quantity of HIV/AIDS housing resources throughout the United States. AHW's scope of work includes AIDS housing development in the Seattle/King County area, as well as a range of planning, organizing, and technical assistance activities both locally and nationally. For more information, visit www.aidshousing.org.