Funding is complete on a new Veteran’s Housing Project to serve low-income and homeless veterans in South King County.

Multi-Service Center (MSC) in Federal Way recently announced that funding for the project is complete. The center expects to break ground on the project in early fall  and anticipates the building will be ready for occupancy by the end of 2015.

According to the 2013 King County Veteran’s and Human Services Levy report, 43 percent of King County’s veterans reside in South King County. Within King County, these veterans represent the largest number of veterans with disabilities, and the largest proportion of veterans facing poverty and financial emergencies. MSC’s housing project will provide permanent housing for those veterans who need it.

Robin Corak, MSC’s CEO, has stated that the MSC began seeing an increasing need for services for veterans in South King County a few years ago.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer service enriched housing for those men and women who have served our country and are now needing assistance with obtaining safe, stable housing in South King County,” Corak said. “In addition to older veterans, MSC anticipates that we will see a new and growing demographic of veterans such as individuals returning from having served in Iraq and Afghanistan. King County veterans have identified housing and employment assistance as being amongst their greatest needs. This project not only provides high quality affordable housing but it also offers on-site services designed to help veterans who may be facing challenges such as re-entering the job market.”

The roughly $13 million housing facility is being developed in partnership with Shelter Resources Incorporated and will be located at 294th and Pacific Highway in Federal Way. The project will offer 44 one, two, and three bedroom units to veterans and their families. All units will be fully furnished and 27 units will be eligible for rental subsidies through the Washington State Department of Veteran’s Affairs in collaboration with King County Housing Authority. Residents will pay rent based on poverty level guidelines.

Vital services will be offered on-site, including housing case management, employment assistance and child advocacy. In addition, classes in education, financial management, technology skills and job readiness may be offered on-site. MSC will work closely with other entities that provide much needed services to veterans.

Offices will also be provided at the property for additional services such as outreach, mental health, and substance abuse counseling to be provided by partners such as the Department of Veteran’s Affairs and King County Veteran’s Program. Amenities include on-site parking, an exercise room, community rooms, computer labs and security.

The Veteran’s Housing Project is possible due to the generous funding of the Washington State Department of Commerce Housing Trust Fund, King County, Federal Home Loan Bank (Sterling Savings as the sponsor), the National Equity Fund in conjunction with the MetLife Foundation and tax credits through the Washington State Housing Finance Commission.

Baylis Architects has been retained as the architect for this project and has provided a preliminary rendering of the property.