The mayor announced on Monday, December 9 2019, that the Office of Housing has chosen to fund Washington state’s first ever LGBTQ-Affirming Affordable Senior Housing building, to be located on Capitol Hill. The property, located between Pike and Pine on Broadway in the heart of the historic LGBTQ neighborhood, will break ground in late 2020 or early 2021 with completion slated for early 2023.

The project, which has been a community-collaboration involving nine LGBTQ non-profit organizations, has partnered with developer Capitol Hill Housing to build and operate the new apartments. GenPRIDE, who provides LGBTQ+ senior services and activities, was chosen to be the ground floor service provider. The space will include a community meeting room, a commercial kitchen for meals and events, a health clinic, and offices for GenPRIDE’s outreach to residents and will serve as their hub of operations for expansion into King County.

“This is a remarkable time in Seattle’s LGBTQ history, and we are both excited and humbled to be playing a part in building a stronger senior community for those who have been instrumental in achieving the rights many of us enjoy today,” says GenPRIDE Executive Director, Steven Knipp. “We are looking forward to making this a vibrant center filled with people who want to connect with others and be a part of our incredible community.”

There will be a community celebration and information events held in early 2020 to both commemorate this achievement and to provide a forum for input into his exciting new property.

Look to www.genprideseattle.org for more information.

GenPRIDE, is a Seattle-based non-profit founded in 2015 to serve the needs of the LGBTQ+ aging community. Our collaborative partners in the housing venture are University of Washington Aging with Pride, Ingersoll Gender Center, Gay City, GSBA, Allyship, County Doctor/Carolyn Downs Clinic, POCAAN, Seattle Counseling Services, and Capitol Hill Housing.