Comprehensive Planning Housing Issues | Affordability | Housing Choices | Housing Resources

Housing Affordability
The City of Redmond encourages a variety of housing types for all economic segments of the community. There are a number of affordable housing resources available for low- and moderate- income households. A home is considered affordable when the total housing costs do not exceed more than 30% of the household income. For rental units, this would include rent and utilities. For ownership units, the total cost includes mortgage, insurance, and homeowners dues, if any.

Qualification for most affordability programs is determined by a formula that is based on the King County Median Income. Most assistance programs are geared for households that earn 80% or less than the King County Median Income. These can include transitional and shelter housing, rental assistance, down payment assistance, housing repair programs, and other resources. Median income figures are updated every year, and are typically adjusted for household size. The following table shows Median Income for the year 2006:

2006 King County Median Income

	1 Person	2 Person	3 Person	4 Person	5 Person	6 Person
120% Median Income	$66,384	$75,744	$85,212	$93,480	$102,254	$109,829
100% Median Income	$55,230	$63,120	$71,010	$77,900	$85,212	$91,524
80% Median Income	$44,184	$50,496	$56,808	$63,120	$68,170	$73,219
50% Median Income	$27,615	$31,560	$35,505	$39,450	$42,606	$45,762

Although the City of Redmond does not provide direct rental or ownership housing assistance to individuals, there are a number of projects that the city has helped fund to create affordable housing opportunities. Two projects in particular include the Villages at Overlake Station, and redevelopment of the former Coast Guard property on Avondale Road NE.

The Village at Overlake Station
The first of its kind in the country, new housing units at the Village at Overlake Station are now available for lease by households earning 60% or less of the King County median income.  The 308-unit development combines affordable housing with the convenience of a Metro Park and Ride and a childcare facility with convenient access to shopping and employment centers.  For more information about these units, contact Allied Property Management at 425-746-3338, or visit their website at http://www.overlakestation.com. 

Redevelopment of the former Coast Guard Housing Site
The city acquired this 10 acre parcel from the Coast Guard in 1997 with plans for redeveloping the site to accommodate a variety of housing types and affordability and a one acre park.

On approximately 3.7 acres of the site, 85 market-rate townhome units have been constructed. The private developer of these units also built Sunset Gardens, a new, one-acre city park situated close to the housing units.

Habitat for Humanity has plans for the completion of 24 new townhome units that will be sold to qualifying households earning 50% or less of the King County Median Income.  Contact Habitat for Humanity at 425-869-6007 for information about volunteering or qualifying for the units.

Partner Organizations

There are a number of organizations with which the city works that can be good resources for individuals and families in need of assistance. These include:

ARCH - A Regional Coalition for Housing.  ARCH maintains lists of both rental and ownership units that are available to moderate income households (those earning 80% or less of the King County Median Income). ARCH also administers the City's Housing Trust Fund, which helps provide funding assistance to local non-profit housing providers, for preservation and construction of affordable housing throughout Redmond and East King County. For information about affordable rental or ownership units, contact ARCH at 425-861-3677, or visit their web site at www.archhousing.org.

Having enough money to buy a home can be a big obstacle. The City of Redmond and other King County ARCH cities have partnered with the Washington State Housing Finance Commission to offer "House Key Plus ARCH (East King County)" to make owning your own home or condominium easier for East King County homebuyers. More information on House Key Plus ARCH down payment assistance, Commission sponsored Homebuyer education seminars, the House Key loan program, and a listing of loan officers who have experience with House Key loans, is available on the Commission's website at www.wshfc.org, or by phone at 206-287-4413. Visit the ARCH website to learn more about their program eligibility requirements.

Habitat for Humanity.  Acclaimed for their "sweat-equity" programs, Habitat for Humanity of East King County has new construction occurring in Redmond and the region. Contact their offices at 425-869-6007 for qualifying information, or visit them on the web at www.habitatekc.org.