Construction begins on environmentally-friendly, affordable housing development in Kenmore

Copper Lantern Homes offer energy-efficient, affordable and “green” townhomes for first-time buyers

Purchasing a home in North King County is not an affordable option for many first-time homebuyers, but working-class families now have a viable ownership opportunity in Kenmore. Elected officials, citizens and community partners celebrated the groundbreaking today on a new development called Copper Lantern Homes, which is expected to provide 33 affordably priced townhomes and condominiums on a site at 7026 Northeast 182nd Street in Kenmore.

“This project represents the future for affordable housing and environmental sustainability in King County,” said King County Councilmember Bob Ferguson, who spoke at the event and represents Kenmore as part of his Council District One. “Working-class and lower middle-class families are being priced out of North King County. This development addresses that trend, which is why I strongly support King County’s financial contribution to the project.”

“In the midst of a national crisis where homes are priced too high and many families are over-extended, Copper Lantern Homes offers 33 working families a feasible home ownership opportunity,” said Sharon Lee, executive director of the Low-Income Housing Institute.

The site will be developed in accordance with the principles of smart growth, with homes centrally located near the Kenmore Town Center and a Metro Transit park-and-ride lot. The homes are also within a three mile radius of numerous banks, post offices, grocery stores, restaurants, health clinics, senior centers, the Lake Forest Park Branch of the King County Library System, and a pharmacy.

The new housing includes two-, three-, and four-bedroom townhouses and one- and two-bedroom flats that are priced affordably for households at or below 80 percent of area median income ($61,500 annual income for family of four). Sale prices range from $161,920 to $240,000. The housing will remain permanently affordable through the use of an affordability covenant. The housing is also energy efficient and built to green standards.

Funding partners for the development include King County, the City of Kenmore, the City of Woodinville, A Regional Housing Coalition (ARHC), and others.