Homestead Community Land Trust Celebrates Completion of Largest Zero Energy/Salmon Safe Affordable Homeownership Project

Tukwila, WA – Homestead Community Land Trust (Homestead) joined with community partners today to celebrate completion of The Southard, the first multi-unit affordable homeownership project in Tukwila, and the first affordable homeownership development in the United States to be co-certified Salmon-Safe and Zero Energy through the International Living Futures Institute. The homes, which are affordable to lower income households, are designed to use no more energy than they generate over the course of a year.

Named in honor of the late Patti Southard, a green-building activist, the homes have been constructed with materials and systems that reduce climate and environmental impacts while at the same time reducing utilities bills. Built on land in the Cascade View neighborhood of Tukwila, the development’s three- and four-bedroom duplex cottage homes are designed to achieve net zero energy usage through highly energy-efficient systems and the use of solar panels for onsite energy generation.

“Our region is facing the dual challenges of lack of affordable homeownership and the need to create climate resilient communities, with equitable access to stable and affordable housing,” said Kathleen Hosfeld, CEO, Executive Director, Homestead. “The Southard achieves both housing justice and climate justice, and as a result it serves as a model and template for future growth.”

Eleven of the 18 homes at The Southard are priced for lower income households as determined by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the King County area. Through one-time investments that subsidize the initial price of the homes, Homestead will keep homes at The Southard affordable to all subsequent income-qualified buyers permanently.

“This project is a significant accomplishment in that it is the first affordable housing project certified both Salmon-Safe and Zero Energy in partnership with the International Living Future Institute,” said Ellen Southard, sister of Patti Southard, working with the Salmon Safe organization. “We hope with this pilot model to see many more affordable housing projects achieve these standards focused on water quality, habitat and carbon reduction. These projects are particularly important to our region as we tackle Puget Sound Recovery and mitigating ocean acidification from carbon.

?“The Southard demonstrates what is possible when we work together toward a shared vision, and represents our commitment to create green, affordable housing that increases homeownership opportunities and contributes to climate resilience,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine.

At Homestead's Community Celebration today, Kelly Rider, Director of King County’s Department of Community and Human Services, announced King County's proclamation of June 28, 2024 as Patti Southard Day in recognition of her advocacy.

“Living affordably and sustainably must be attainable for everyone. Patti Southard was a true force who shared this vision, and cared deeply about community-driven housing development that is sustainable, healthy, and affordable for generations to come. Patti’s commitment to this is evident today in the completion of the Southard and the Green Tools program at King County. We have an incredibly innovative green building program because of her expertise,” Constantine said.

Homes at The Southard were built under terms of a development agreement with the City of Tukwila that advanced building density standards before they were required by state legislation.

“I am grateful to Homestead for bringing this project to Tukwila and helping more people achieve the dream of homeownership.? South King County is in desperate need of more affordable homeowner options for its residents,” noted Mayor Thomas McLeod.

In addition to the subsidized affordable homes, The Southard includes five market-rate homes, and two homes for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.? Affordable housing for low-income adults with disabilities is in critically low supply across the Puget Sound region. Residents at The Southard will create community with eight unique individuals who will contribute to the overall quality of life and community of this neighborhood

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“The successful completion of this project means affordable, net zero rental homes for eight extremely low-income people with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” said Marc Cote, Executive Director of Parkview Services. “They will live in an environmentally sustainable housing development that fosters inclusion and community. The result of a truly cooperative effort with Homestead Community Land Trust and a host of public and private funders.”

Governor Jay Inslee and First Lady Trudi Inslee participated in the ground-breaking for The Southard in 2022 and announced that the project would be named in honor of Patti Southard.

“Patti Southard’s legacy shows that we can address both our housing crisis and harmful greenhouse gas emissions hurting our communities at the same time,” said Washington State Governor Jay Inslee. “Trudi and I are so thankful for the time we had with Patti, and it is an honor for us to be able to celebrate her enduring work at today’s groundbreaking of The Southard.”

Celebrating its 32nd anniversary in 2024, Homestead is a non-profit community ownership organization with over 246 permanently affordable homes in trust. It prioritizes new developments in neighborhoods at risk of displacement due to rising housing costs throughout the county. Affordable homeownership fills a crucial gap (also known as “the missing middle”) in the affordable housing spectrum, prevents displacement of modest-income households and allows homeowners to build wealth safely.

A small number of market-rate homes at the Southard are for sale, and proceeds benefit the affordability of the homes at the development. For information about the homes, visit TheSouthard.com

Archive of the Live stream of the Community Celebration is available on our YouTube channel here.

Additional Information:

Homestead Community Land Trust: www.Homesteadclt.org

Parkview Services: https://www.parkviewservices.org/

More Information about our certifications:

ILFI Zero Energy: https://living-future.org/zero-energy/certification/

Salmon Safe: https://salmonsafe.org/get-certified/

FAST FACTS ABOUT THE SOUTHARD

Size: Three- and four-bedroom, two bath homes ranging from 1,232 sq ft to 1,322 sq ft living area with 115 sq ft to 151 sq ft front porches

Why The Southard is Significant:

The Southard is the first at-scale affordable single-family homeownership development in Tukwila, WA

The Southard was built according to the terms of a development agreement that increased allowed housing density before such change was required by the State legislature

The Southard is a demonstration project of cottage-style duplex homes built to achieve a net zero energy standard

The Southard includes two homes for eight adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Pricing:? 11 homes are priced between $275,000 to $310,000 for sale to income-qualified households; 2 homes are built for Parkview Services to manage; 5 homes are available for sale without income restrictions at market rates.

Energy Efficiency and On-Site Energy Generation:

The Southard homes are designed to provide exemplary energy efficiency that will keep the home comfortable in all types of weather while using a fraction of the energy of a typical home.

Rooftop solar panels are expected to generate all of the electricity needs of the home.

Hot water is provided by a hybrid heat pump electric water heater that reduces the cost of heating water by 30% over a standard electric hot water heater.

Energy Star appliances include a ductless heat pump washer/dryer and electric range.

Heating and cooling is provided by an air source heat pump system that uses less than half the energy of standard resistance heaters, while also providing air conditioning in the summer.

An energy recovery ventilation system is used throughout the home to provide superior indoor air quality and reduce heating or cooling loss.

8-inch wall framing with double layer of insulation, and use of a spray sealant ensures that the home is free of drafts and keeps the conditioned air inside.

High quality double and triple pane windows with reflective low-e coating keeps the interiors bright without excessive heat gain from the sun.

Storm Water:

Below ground is an 11,000 cubic foot capacity stormwater detention tank that collects rainwater runoff, allowing it to be slowly released into the stormwater system. Around the pathways and homes there are bio-retention planters that capture and filter rainwater runoff before discharging it into the stormwater system, reducing the impact on Puget Sound and the native species that call it home.

Funding: The Southard is an $11 million development made possible by $3.7 million in public investments from the King County, the Washington State Department of Commerce, and Community Frameworks and the Federal Home Loan Bank.

Partnerships: The development is built on land purchase from the Riverton Park United Methodist Church. Parkview Services, a nonprofit that provides housing and programs for persons with disabilities, is partnering in the development of two group homes.