In a move to tackle the ever-growing housing affordability crisis in Kirkland, city officials broke ground on the Ardea project at Totem Lake on Thursday. Mayor Kelli Curtis, Deputy Mayor Arnold, Councilmembers Black, Falcone, Sweet, and Tymczyszyn came together to celebrate the beginning of what promises to be a boon for local residents in need of affordable housing options. The event symbolized a collaborative effort spanning government, private sector, and community-based organizations.
Addressing the gathering, Mayor Curtis emphasized the severity of the housing affordability issue, "We all know we have a housing affordability crisis in our region," she said. People are finding it increasingly difficult to reside near their workplaces, which is negatively affecting traffic and causing more emissions, people can't afford to stay in their homes of many years, and are at a greater risk of homelessness. Curtis highlighted the multi-faceted nature of their approach, according to a statement obtained by Kirkland's City Council News.
Since 1992, Kirkland has been proactive on the issue of affordable housing – being a founding member of A Regional Coalition for Housing (ARCH.) Curtis gave a nod to ARCH, thanking the organization for their efforts over the years, supporting the creation of 6,840 affordable units across the region. Additionally, Kirkland's commitment has shone through its policies, which have led to the construction of 754 affordable units, with nearly 1000 more on the development docket for the next five years.
Middle housing, a robust program adopted by the council in March 2020 has seen over 315 units such as ADUs, cottages, and duplexes or triplexes come to life. "And the Kirkland City Council proactively adopted affordable housing targets before it was a requirement of the State and County," Curtis said, acknowledging the forward-thinking stance of the council. Furthermore, non-profit partners like Imagine Housing have been crucial in developing these affordable housing projects and fostering welcoming communities on the Eastside.
Corporate partnerships also play a pivotal role in the housing crisis. Amazon's $16 million contribution through its Housing Equity Fund helped catalyze the Ardea development, which is slated to be a sanctuary for seniors - providing 170 new affordable homes nestled between nature and convenient city amenities. "Thank you, Amazon, for your incredible generosity," Curtis conveyed, also extending thanks to TWG, the development partner turning this vision into brick and mortar reality.
The project exemplifies a collective stride towards alleviating the housing crisis in the area, with participation from various sectors to address this multi-layered issue. Curtis concluded by saying, "It is investments of money, time, and goodwill that will help us through this housing affordability crisis," a sentiment reflecting a belief in community strength and the positive potential of public-private collaboration.
