Construction under way on phase 2 of Martin Way affordable housing. Here’s when it’ll be done
Construction of another affordable housing building on Martin Way in Olympia is under way and expected to be completed by September 2024.
The building, located on the corner of Martin Way East and Pattison Street Northeast, will contain 64 affordable units, including 40 studios and 24 one-bedroom apartments.
The Low-Income Housing Institute, a non-profit developer, announced Wednesday that construction began June 12. The new building, known as Martin Way Phase 2, will stand next to the Phase 1 complex called Unity Commons.
In a statement, LIHI Executive Director Sharon Lee said her nonprofit is pleased to add more long-term rental apartments for people in Olympia.
“Permanent supportive housing is critically needed in Thurston County, given the Point-in-Time Count documenting 792 homeless people on January 26, 2023,” Lee said. “More than half were sleeping outside in tents, sleeping bags, and vehicles. We must have sufficient low-rent housing to keep people warm and safe.”
Darian Lightfoot, director of housing and homeless response at the City of Olympia, said Martin Way Phase 2 is expected to house low-income seniors.
LIHI completed Unity Commons in December 2021, making it the first project built with funding from the city’s Home Fund. It features 65 permanent supportive housing units operated by LIHI and a 60-bed shelter on the ground floor operated by Interfaith Works.
The supportive housing units are filled through the county’s Coordinated Entry system, an often-strained method that sorts people based on their status and level of vulnerability.
The new 48,513-square-foot building under construction will be separated from Unity Commons by a protected courtyard for vehicles. It will have covered parking under the building that will be hidden from street view.
Deacon Construction is the contractor and Encore Architects designed the building. The project has been financed by Raymond James, a tax credit equity investor, and JP Morgan Chase as an investor and construction lender, according to the release.
Additional funders include the Washington State Housing Trust Fund, Thurston County, the City of Olympia, Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, the Home Depot Foundation and Banner Bank.
Lightfoot said the City of Olympia has contributed over $2 million to Unity Commons and Martin Way Phase 2. The city bought the land in 2018 and sold it to LIHI.
This story was originally published July 12, 2023 at 1:39 PM.
