HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/07/2020 12C Yakima Housing Authority Veteran's Project at Armory k.
BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 12.C.
For Meeting of: April 7, 2020
ITEM TITLE: Yakima Housing Authority Veteran's project at Armory
SUBMITTED BY: Lowell Kruger, Executive Director of Yakima Housing Authority
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
The Yakima Housing Authority would like to update the Yakima community on the construction of
the new 41-unit Chuck Austin Place, located at the former Marine Armory in Yakima.
ITEM BUDGETED:
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL BY THE CITY MANAGER
RECOMMENDATION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Upload Date Type
❑ 3/27/2020 Coker Memo
2
Chuck Austin Place
The Yakima Housing Authority would like to update the Yakima Community on the construction
of the new 41-unit Chuck Austin Place, located at the former Marine Armory at 1703 Tahoma
Ave in Yakima. We expect that construction will begin on, or around July 2020. The delay was
due to regulations that govern Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funding and regulations
that govern Department of Health and Human Services' donation of surplus federal property,
that were at odds with one another. This issue affected not only the Yakima Housing Authority;
but, housing authorities and other non-profits throughout the country, that wish to use LIHTC's
to fund affordable housing development on surplus land donated by the federal government.
The Housing Authority was able to work with its congressional delegation to find a technical fix
that will allow it to close the transaction and begin construction.
The Housing Authority and its funding partners are committed to the construction and
completion of Chuck Austin Place. We do not believe that the COVID-19 (coronavirus) will have
a meaningful effect on our construction schedule and look forward to opening the Chuck Austin
Place to residents in 2021. We appreciate the continued support of the community for this
much needed housing for our homeless veterans.
About the Yakima Housing Authority
The Housing Authority of the City of Yakima was created in 1977 by the City of Yakima to
provide affordable housing for low- and moderate-income residents of the community. Its
mission is to build stronger communities through a commitment to safe and affordable
housing. The Housing Authority currently owns and manages more than 500 units of affordable
housing throughout Yakima, Toppenish, Granger, Cowiche and Tieton and manages over 1,100
housing choice vouchers for Yakima and Kittitas Counties. The Housing Authority continues to
meet its mission through the maintenance, preservation and construction of affordable housing
throughout the communities that it serves.
Any questions can be directed to Lowel Krueger, Executive Director, at the Yakima Housing
Authority at (509) 453.3106.