Adrianne Todman, Deputy Secretary | https://www.hud.gov/leadership#sec
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) officials, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research Solomon Greene and Northwest Regional Administrator Andrew Lofton, visited Seattle this week as part of the national "Road to Innovation” Tour. The tour is a precursor to the 2024 Innovative Housing Showcase scheduled next month in Washington, DC.
"As the Road to Innovation Tour continues, we’re learning that not only are Housing Authorities at the forefront of incorporating new building technologies to deepen affordability, promote energy efficiency, and provide homes that meet resident needs, but they are also innovating in financing, and resident engagement strategies," said Greene.
The “Road to Innovation” tours will conclude in Washington, DC with HUD’s 2024 Innovative Housing Showcase from June 7th through 9th on the National Mall. This public event will feature leading homebuilders, technologists, and designers showcasing their novel approaches to increase housing supply, lower construction costs, increase energy efficiency, and reduce housing expenses.
"The innovation - and community engagement and involvement that comes along with that innovation - is something that stands out in Seattle,” said Lofton.
During their visit to Seattle's Yesler community run by the Seattle Housing Authority (SHA), they toured Sawara, a new residential building nearing completion. Over half of its 114 apartments are covered by 69 HUD-funded vouchers. Sawara is an all-electric building part of Seattle City Light’s Exemplary Buildings Program modeling energy-efficient housing.
“Environmental stewardship is one of the Seattle Housing Authority’s core values,” said SHA Executive Director Rod Brandon.
The officials also visited Sustainable Living Innovations' (SLI) 303 Battery apartment building in downtown Seattle's Belltown neighborhood. This high-rise multifamily tower has been pre-certified by the International Living Institute as the world's first Net Zero Energy high rise.
Lastly, they toured Burbridge Place—a 5-story building with 124 studio apartments run by the non-profit Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC). The building is Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) with $1.8 million in initial HUD Continuum of Care funding and an additional $1.9 million for the coming year.
“We continue to pioneer Housing First and what that means, especially from a building technologies standpoint," said DESC Facilities, Asset Management, and Property Development Director Sondra Nielsen.
