Pierce County has just taken a significant leap in its commitment to affordable housing, surpassing the creation or preservation of 1,300 units within two years, a recent report from the county council revealed. Council Chair Jani Hitchen emphasized the impact of the Maureen Howard Affordable Housing Act, noting its success in generating millions for initiatives that directly translate into housing opportunities for the community. Hitchen stated, "When the Council passed the Maureen Howard Affordable Housing Act, we committed to creating a dedicated, sustainable source of funding to address one of Pierce County’s greatest needs," according to Pierce County news release.
The act has not only boasted impressive numbers but also paved the way for diverse housing solutions, supporting a variety of community needs, the new effort includes projects like Copper Way and Viridian Grove which cater to families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities, County Executive Ryan N. Mello praised the collaborative efforts saying "It is a testament to our County team and our housing partners that we have reached a milestone in creating more than 1,000 affordable housing units in two years since the Maureen Howard Affordable Housing Act was created," he told Pierce County news.
Details on the recent funding approval highlight four key projects totaling $12.2 million, which are expected to revolutionize affordable living in the county. The largest chunk of the funding, $7 million has been allocated for Cedar Flats in South Hill/Frederickson which will see the establishment of 276 family-sized units. On the preservation side, Chateau Rainier in Fife has secured $5 million to maintain affordability for extremely low-income households, and the projects are designed to serve families earning below 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
With a sales tax increment designed to back such housing projects, the Maureen Howard Affordable Housing Act demonstrates Pierce County's dedication to battling homelessness and housing shortages, it offers tailored solutions—from larger family apartments to rehabilitation of existing structures to accommodate families and individuals who are on varying strata of the income scale, projects like the FFC Homes XIV in Buckley and Fairway at Dupont focus on specialized residential needs, for example, Buckley's allocated $166,800 will assist with the acquisition and rehabilitation of group homes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, providing necessary resources for those at the margins, said Mello, as reported by Pierce County.
For residents interested in the deeper implications of this initiative, more information on the Maureen Howard Affordable Housing Act can be found on the county's official website, which details the usage of the one-tenth of 1% sales tax levy dedicated to this cause.
