Several years ago, Northaven sold a parcel of land to Gaard Development, a social benefit corporation created by Greg and Val Gorder. They are passionate about building workforce housing, and we found that we shared the same values around community, affordable housing and dignity for residents.

Construction will begin in mid-April on an 89-unit, multi-family dwelling for working individuals and families who don’t earn enough to enter the housing market and struggle to meet market rate rents. Construction will take about 19 months.

There will be an affordable, culturally aware childcare center on the first floor, operated by ReWA (Refugee Women’s Alliance).

We are committed to our neighborhood and, when finished, there will be a lighted walkway through our campus, providing a direct way for neighbors to cross our Seattle super-block.

The Northaven Workforce project will help us become an innovative, multi-generational campus that leverages shared use of outdoor spaces with forward-thinking concepts of intergenerational programming. The childcare program will partner with the elders at Northaven for classes, creative activities, gardening and games. There will be “adoptive grandparent” opportunities, mentoring and tutoring, health, fitness, and well-being opportunities bridging generations and communities. When finished, there will be a shared outdoor space that is fully landscaped and a recreation area that will provide seniors, families, children and youth the opportunity to play, garden and recreate together.