KENT - Harrison House, a vital local housing resource for low-income seniors, just got a $3.9 million makeover. The exterior renovations will preserve this building’s 94 units of affordable housing for years to come. Residents of Harrison House are delighted with the building’s impressive new curb appeal, as well as with interior renovations. The Kent community is pleased that creative financing developed by the housing authority will ensure that low-income seniors won’t be priced out of their homes. To celebrate this notable transformation, the King County Housing Authority, the National Equity Fund and the City of Kent are hosting an open house in the dining room at Harrison House, 615 West Harrison St., on Friday, Sept. 9, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“Out of a score of 10, I give it an 11,” said Bill Kehr, a resident at Harrison House since 1998. “The outside is more appealing, with the different colors involved. And with the new carpeting and paint inside, it was like coming back to a brand new apartment.”

Renovations to Harrison House involved both exterior and interior upgrades. Due to extensive dry rot and mold from a faulty stucco finish, siding, balconies, windows and decks all had to be replaced. A new roof was also required. The common areas have been completely redecorated and individual apartments have benefited from refurbished kitchens, new vinyl flooring and carpeting and a fresh coat of paint.

“There is a critical need for affordable apartments in Kent for our senior citizens living on fixed incomes,” said Kent Mayor Jim White. “With the renovation of Harrison House, the King County Housing Authority has revitalized and ensured the future of this affordable senior community.”

In 1991 the City of Kent built Harrison House and turned the complex over to the Housing Authority to operate. But by 2002, the stucco exterior of the building had begun to fail, creating an expensive challenge. How do you pay for a new exterior without cutting resident services or making the complex too expensive for fixed-income residents?

The answer: Bring in an investor. The National Equity Fund, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing resources to locally-driven community development projects, committed investment dollars under the federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit program that allowed the rehabilitation of Harrison House to proceed.

“Harrison House is a crucial housing resource for low-income seniors,” said Stephen Norman, executive director of the King County Housing Authority. “The average income of residents at Harrison House is $16,100 per year, which makes it difficult for them to afford market-based rents. The investment in this property by the National Equity Fund, King County and the King County Housing Authority will ensure that rents at Harrison House will remain affordable to existing residents, most of whom are 80 years old or older. In addition, the support services coordinator who provides valuable assistance to residents can be retained and we can continue to provide congregate meals.”

The Housing Authority collaborates with a variety of partners, including King County, the City of Kent and the National Equity Fund to assist Harrison House residents. In addition to attractive apartments, Harrison House provides a host of amenities including an exercise room, a library, a computer room and an on-site hair salon. Meals are provided in the redecorated dining room and the support services coordinator provides outreach and referral services to residents.

“It’s great to be part of a partnership working together to help improve the futures and enrich the lives of seniors with limited financial resources,” said National Equity Fund Vice President M.A. Leonard. “We are especially pleased that this public investment preserves a valuable existing housing resource. NEF’s investment interests, however, go beyond bricks and sticks. The needs of this community were too compelling not to step forward. We are also extremely pleased to work with the King County Housing Authority. The staff is top-notch and we could not be more pleased with the quality of the renovation.”

KCHA administers a range of quality affordable rental and homeownership programs for residents of King County. The Authority serves more than 17,000 families, elderly and disabled households on a daily basis.

NEF has directed nearly $4.4 billion to 1,300 projects in 250 cities and towns nationwide. Those investor dollars have helped build 68,000 homes since 1987.

Kent Mayor Jim White,
National Equity Fund Vice President M.A. Leonard
and King County Housing Authority
Executive Director Stephen Norman
will make brief remarks around 11:10 a.m.