SounderBruce, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons The new developments will create 24 affordable homes for purchase, advancing equity and anti-displacement efforts in the Rainier Valley.
Today, the Seattle Office of Housing (OH) announced awardees for two new site projects under the Rainier Valley Affordable Homeownership Initiative (RVAHI). These projects represent a combined investment of $3.6 million to create 24 new affordable homes for low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers.
Awarded Projects
- 4735 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S.
Awarded to Homestead Community Land Trust in partnership with Rainier Beach Action Coalition, this development will deliver 16 affordable homes for purchase. The development emphasizes sustainability and community-led engagement with first-time homebuyers in Rainer Valley through affirmative marketing, aligning with the goals of the RVAHI. - 4853 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S.
Awarded to African Community Housing & Development (ACHD) in partnership with Alpha Sharp, this development will create eight four-bedroom townhomes. ACHD’s proposal stood out for its community-led approach, affirmative marketing, and robust stewardship plans. This marks ACHD’s first independent award from OH’s Homeownership Division, following their successful co-awards of three sites with Habitat for Humanity.
“Thank you to Sound Transit, the Office of Housing, and community partners for your continued collaboration in the Rainer Valley to effectively address displacement and break down barriers to first-time homeownership and generational wealth,” said Mayor Bruce Harrell. “Growing up in the historically redlined Central District, I know the impact discriminatory policies and cost pressures can have on a community. That is why my proposed 2026 budget makes a record investment in new affordable housing while also addressing displacement and its historical root causes through a new multi-year investment strategy.”
The RVAHI, a partnership between the City of Seattle and Sound Transit that began in 2022, is designed to address displacement pressures in the Rainier Valley while promoting community-led development. The initiative leverages surplus land transferred from Sound Transit to the City of Seattle at no cost, enabling the development of permanently affordable homes for households earning up to 80% of the area median income (AMI). This innovative approach reduces development costs, enabling the creation of permanently affordable, transit-oriented housing. By prioritizing affordability and accessibility, the initiative helps mitigate displacement, fosters racial equity, and provides opportunities for families to build generational wealth in the Rainier Valley.
As part of his 2026 proposed budget, Mayor Harrell announced a $350 million investment toward affordable housing – the largest investment in City history – and a new Anti-Displacement and Reparations Housing Fund. In March, the City released its Anti-Displacement Action Plan resulting from the Mayor’s Executive Order to strengthen anti-displacement strategies.
Since 2022, City investments have created, preserved, or funded the development of more than 8,000 affordable rental homes. This year’s $170 million rental housing Notice of Funding Availability will create and preserve hundreds more. The City has also added 241 permanently affordable homes for sale in the past three years, nearly matching the previous 20 years’ total.
Next Steps
The next phase of the RVAHI will include the release of a final site proposal in 2026.
For more information about the Rainier Valley Affordable Homeownership Initiative, visit Seattle Office of Housing RVAHI webpage.
What People Are Saying
Dow Constantine, CEO, Sound Transit
“Sound Transit is proud to be part of delivering transit-oriented development and affordable homeownership opportunities through our partnership with the Seattle Office of Housing. With these two sites being awarded to development partners with deep ties in the Rainier Valley, we continue to build on the successes of the Rainier Valley Affordable Homeownership Initiative. Residents will be able to put down roots in this vibrant and diverse community where they can enjoy convenient connections along the 1 Line — from Angle Lake to Lynnwood — and look forward to more connections as we prepare to open Link light rail to Federal Way in December and to the Eastside with the Crosslake Connection in 2026.”
Councilmember Mark Solomon, District 2
“This is great news for families in District 2,” said Councilmember Mark Solomon, whose district includes Rainier Valley. “Every affordable home we invest in, is a step in the right direction towards giving families an opportunity to stay in the neighborhood where they grew up, and to build and pass on generational wealth.”
Kathleen Hosfeld, CEO/Executive Director, Homestead Community Land Trust
“Thanks to the Office of Housing’s foresight, surplus land in Rainier Valley will give local households the opportunity to own a home. We are deeply grateful for the transfer of this valuable public asset to create permanently affordable homeownership—building both individual and community wealth. We’re honored to partner with Rainier Beach Action Coalition to make it real for local residents.”
African Community Housing and Development (ACHD)
Hamdi Abdulle, President and CEO of ACHD
“This project underscores the roots of our development work: creating permanence, stability, and opportunity for families who have long been at the margins of homeownership in Seattle. The selection of a community-led developer to lead this project is a testimony to a fair process. Equal opportunity for everyone in our city is a serious matter. We thank the Office of Housing under Mayor Harrell’s leadership, and we thank our staff, whose intelligence and commitment made this possible.”
Bilan Aden, Vice President of ACHD
“African Community Housing & Development (ACHD) is honored to partner with the City of Seattle to bring forward this landmark opportunity for permanently affordable homeownership. This project is designed for multigenerational families, where grandparents and extended family members can age in place with dignity, privacy, and a true sense of belonging, while ensuring affordability remains in our community for generations to come. As part of ACHD’s 72 transit-oriented homes in our pipeline, this 8-unit townhome project supports the full life cycle of our community members, from youth to our elders. We extend our deepest gratitude to Mayor Bruce Harrell, the City of Seattle Office of Housing, Sound Transit, and all of our partners who made it possible for ACHD to lead this transformative project.”
Maiko Winkler-Chin, Director, Seattle Office of Housing
“These awards recognize the powerful, community-led work of organizations like Homestead Community Land Trust and African Community Housing & Development. Their commitment to creating affordable homeownership opportunities reflects what makes the Rainier Valley so special – it’s vibrant, diverse, and rooted in people who care deeply about their neighborhoods. We’re proud to partner with them to help more families put down roots in this community.”
