In a move aimed to directly and tangibly address the pressing issue of housing affordability, the South Sound Housing Affordability Partners (SSHA³P) has greenlighted their inaugural investment. The partnership has agreed to allocate up to a substantial $966,000 for the erection of as many as 28 houses in the Frederickson area. These homes, to be built on land purchased last year by the Pierce County Community Development Corporation, will cater to families earning below 80% of the average median income, as per the county's official website.
The funds for this project are pooled from varied local government sources, including the cities of Auburn, Fife, and Sumner, along with broader Pierce County support. Construction on the homes is slated to begin in 2027, with the project expected to select a housing developer later this year. This investment not only provides essential backing for the aforementioned housing project but is also set to potentially prompt further financial contributions geared towards surging the development of affordable homes in the region.
According to a statement provided by Kevin Ballard, Chair of SSHA³P and a DuPont City Councilmember, "This is a big step for our region." He further emphasized, "For the first time, local governments have pooled their housing resources through SSHA³P to directly impact the development of new, permanently affordable homes," as noted by the Pierce County news release.
Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus and Fife Mayor Kim Roscoe have also weighed in on this joint effort. Mayor Backus remarked, "Affordable housing isn’t just a regional issue – it’s a local concern driven by necessity," thereby acknowledging the growing housing challenges faced by residents. Mayor Roscoe added, noting the fruits of extensive collaborative efforts, "This first investment by the SSHA³P Housing Capital Fund is the result of years of collaboration and planning," according to the same news release.
SSHA³P consists of a partnership among the Cities and Towns of Auburn, DuPont, Edgewood, Fife, Fircrest, Gig Harbor, Lakewood, Milton, Puyallup, Sumner, Steilacoom, Tacoma, and University Place, joined by Pierce County and the Puyallup Tribe of Indians.
