AUBURN - Ever since it was built in the 1950s, Green River Homes has been a haven for families in need of affordable housing in Auburn. However, after years of deferred maintenance, the modest, single-story duplexes had a host of problems – from worn, outdated interiors to peeling paint and patched roofs outside. The King County Housing Authority has revitalized this community resource with $5.2 million in interior and exterior renovations.

Now low-income families living at Green River Homes—now known as Valley Park, can be proud of their brightly colored, modern homes. The YWCA of Seattle-King County provides on-site services to help families working toward self-sufficiency. The Housing Authority and its partners at Valley Park, the City of Auburn and the National Equity Fund, will celebrate the development’s transformation with an open house on Wednesday, October 5, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Valley Park East, in front of 616 L Pl. Southeast.

“The King County Housing Authority has always taken great pride in the appearance and quality of its affordable housing,” noted Executive Director Stephen Norman. “We are gratified that Valley Park now meets our high standards, while still being a resource for working families.”

Two separate clusters of homes comprise Valley Park: 16 duplexes near Les Gove Park and KCHA’s Green River Homes public housing development; and 14 duplexes near Terminal Park. Valley Park is a unique development offering affordable housing without federal subsidies. The Housing Authority was limited by the low rents in the level of capital improvements it could make to the property and, despite diligent efforts, stopgap remedies for the aging houses could only go so far. Seeking to make necessary improvements while preserving its affordability, the Housing Authority developed an innovative financing approach. The National Equity Fund, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing resources to locally driven community development projects, identified national corporations willing to commit investment dollars in return for federal tax credits.

"Helping to preserve 60 units of affordable housing for families in the City of Auburn is the kind of project NEF jumps to participate in,” said National Equity Fund Vice President M.A. Leonard. “The transformation exceeds all of our expectations and it’s particularly gratifying to know we’ve been a part of it."

Auburn Mayor Pete Lewis is pleased when the quality of housing that serves low-income families matches private homes in his city.

“Driving by Valley Park East or Valley Park West is a pleasure,” Mayor Lewis said. “The Housing Authority showed great resourcefulness, forging a public-private partnership to make the improvements happen.”

In under a year, Triple D Construction completed major interior and exterior renovations, including new roofing, vinyl thermal windows and fiber-cement plank siding in a splash of eye-catching colors. The insides were gutted and new heating, lighting and plumbing was installed along with vinyl flooring, carpeting and new kitchens and bathrooms. New sewer, water and gas lines were installed, the sites were re-landscaped and the majority of the overhead service wires were replaced by lines laid in the ground.

The developments incorporated elements of Universal Design and met the highest level of the Master Builders of King and Snohomish County Built Green standards.

Forty-four of the 60 units at Valley Park serve families from the community’s waiting list who earn 30 to 80 percent of the area median income. In 16 units, the YWCA assists families in need of transitional or emergency housing. Seattle Mental Health helps individuals with disabilities maintain independence in the two remaining units.

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.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2005: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

VALLEY PARK EAST

SPEAKERS will make brief remarks around 11:10 a.m:

Auburn City Council Member Gene Cerino

National Equity Fund Vice President M.A. Leonard

King County Housing Authority Executive Director Stephen Norman

YWCA Regional Director Linda Rasmussen

Sound Families Director Alice Shobe

Seattle Mental Health Adult Community Support Director Cassandra Jackson

Valley Park resident Bonnie Davis