< Go Back
< Home

Current Partnerships

Over the last two decades HRG has been extremely effective through its partnerships with leading businesses and other nonprofit service organizations in Seattle.

Downtown Seattle Association (DSA) – Under the stewardship of the business community HRG has been given the financial, political and technical support to address the spectrum of affordable housing needs around the Downtown area over the last 22 years.

A Contemporary Theatre – HRG collaborated with ACT to sensitively restore the historic Eagles Auditorium and retrofit the former spaces into two new performing stages, a cabaret and 44 affordable apartments. HRG and ACT jointly own the building through a condominium association. This building was designated "Project of the Year" in 1997 by the Urban Land Institute.

Nordstrom – This Seattle based retailer has long seen the need for affordable family housing in the city. Through the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program, Nordstrom has invested $5.25 million to create 134 units of affordable housing at Cascade Court, Sterling Court and Mercer Court.

Clise Properties – Working with the developer of the new Nordstrom Headquarters at 1700 Seventh Ave, HRG constructed 65 new affordable apartments next door to this new office building. Clise approached HRG to offer $1.25 million through the city’s Housing Bonus Program in exchange for additional development height.

Historic Seattle – Historic Seattle seeks significant buildings or sites which are threatened and/or neglected, and participates in strategies to preserve them.  HRG provided construction management during the historic rehabilitation of First Hill’s BelBoy Apartments and Heg Phillips House as well as Victorian Row in the International District.  This partnership preserved 72 affordable apartments that HRG continues to manage today.

University of Washington – Virginia Anderson Internship – As a founding member of the Board of Directors of HRG, Virginia has been a leading proponent of affordable housing in Seattle. HRG has created a unique internship program at the University of Washington’s Urban Design and Planning graduate program. A graduate student with an interest in affordable housing design and financing, will acquire practical experience with HRG. The goal of this internship is to increase the opportunity for students to gain from hands-on, real-life cases in affordable housing development.

A.F. Evans – Working with this California based developer, HRG was successful in purchasing the former Doces Building at Third & Pine for redevelopment as The Gilmore. 

City of Seattle – The city has been a critical gap funding source for HRG’s affordable housing projects, providing over $25 million to HRG owned and consulting projects. Additionally the city relies on HRG’s expertise in setting affordable housing and land-use policy and is viewed to have high development capacity to assist in meeting the city’s affordable housing goals.  

Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) – HRG has worked with SHA in various ways over the past several years. Often SHA issues tax-exempt bonds for HRG projects and provides project-based Section 8 rental assistance. Also, HRG has been competitively selected to provide on- and off-site replacement housing for their Holly Park and Rainier Vista redevelopments. From this selection HRG will create 50 apartments at Genesee and 70 apartments at 45th Ave NE & Stone Way. 

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation – The foundation’s “Sound Families Initiative” and City of Seattle awarded HRG advanced funding by our commitment to develop 54 two- bedroom apartments for families in transition from homelessness. This $1 million capital grant will be used for predevelopment costs of eligible new projects. Additionally, $400,000 will be provided to social service agencies that HRG selects for case management services. 

Vulcan – Since 2001 HRG has provided informal consulting services for their master planning of the South Lake Union neighborhood.  We have provided recommendations on the siting, financing tools and zoning issues for potential affordable housing.  Since last fall HRG has done project feasibility for potential HRG developed affordable housing in Cascade and Denny Park areas of South Lake Union.  

Partnerships with Social Service Agencies

This important relationship continues at HRG. As a participant in Downtown Seattle Association's Human Services Committee, HRG assists in housing development efforts which address the needs of homeless individuals and families. Throughout our history HRG has worked to assist the following service providers in the development of supported housing facilities:

YWCA – In July of 2004, HRG was selected by the YWCA of Seattle-King County-Snohomish County to provide development services for an upcoming YWCA project located in the eastside suburbs of King County.  HRG provided financing assistance for 3 other projects: renovation of transitional housing at their main office and the Family Village in Redmond and currently, the expansion of Angeline’s Day Center into Opportunity Place with 143 new apartments. HRG has also entered into a Service Agreement with YWCA to provide social services to families transitioning from homelessness.

The Urban League – HRG is currently consulting with the Urban League on the redevelopment of Colman School at Urban League Village. The project will include 36 units of one- and two-bedroom apartments above the new Northwest African American Museum. Construction is scheduled to start in early 2006 with opening scheduled in 2007.

AIDS Housing of Washington – AIDS Housing of Washington ("AHW") is a nationally-recognized technical assistance organization whose mission is to increase and sustain the quality and quantity of HIV/AIDS housing resources. In partnership with AHW, HRG has developed two supportive affordable housing developments with apartments set aside for households living with HIV/AIDS. The Judkins Park Apartments opened in December 2004 and provides four apartments to formerly homeless families living with HIV/AIDS. Genesee Housing started construction in 2005 and will provide 22 units of supportive housing for families and individuals with developmental and physical disabilities, including HIV/AIDS. AHW's technical and financial assistance has allowed HRG to significantly expand the affordable housing opportunities available to people with special needs.

Downtown Emergency Service Center – HRG served as a development consultant to create two supportive housing facilities for formerly homeless men in Pioneer Square (Union Hotel) and Cascade (Kerner Scott House).  HRG is currently assisting with the acquisition, financing and renovation of The Morrison Hotel.

Lifelong AIDS Alliance – HRG has set aside 20 apartments in four HRG buildings to provide permanent housing for individuals diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.

Jewish Family Service – HRG is providing housing for eight residents in six apartments in support of Jewish Family Service's Independent Living Program. Jewish Family Service is a private, non-profit social service organization serving members of the Jewish and broader communities in the greater Puget Sound region. Part of the organization's mission is to support and assist individuals and families in the tradition of helping people help themselves.

Housing Innovations for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (HIPDD) – Over the past year, HRG applied for and was awarded funding from King County’s HIPDD program. HIPDD selected two HRG properties, Genesee and Stone Way, to develop ten apartments that will be set aside for persons with disabilities. As part of this program, HRG has worked with King County staff to discuss the specific design needs of this population and how they might be incorporated into these developments. These new properties will be open in 2006.

Plymouth House of Healing (PHH) – HRG in partnership with PHH and Harborview Mental Health, provides housing and supportive services to disabled persons in 4 units of the Bel Boy Apartments. Bel Boy is owned by Historic Seattle and was rehabilitated and currently managed by Housing Resources Group.