Construction is officially underway on Bryant Manor South, a major new affordable housing development in Seattle’s Central District led by the First AME (FAME) Housing Association. A groundbreaking ceremony held April 2, 2025, marked the beginning of the next phase in the transformation of the historic Bryant Manor site into a modern, community-rooted housing complex.
Located at Yesler Way and 18th Avenue, the project will add 149 income-restricted apartments to the neighborhood, including studios and one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes for individuals and families earning between 30% and 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
“We welcome the opportunity to continue to serve the central and greater Seattle community by creating affordable living spaces for families and seniors,” said Roxanne Buchanan, President of FAME Housing Association.
The launch of Bryant Manor South follows the successful opening of Bryant Manor North in September 2024, which brought 101 units of affordable housing to the same site. Together, these developments form the cornerstone of FAME’s ongoing effort to preserve housing access for longtime residents of a neighborhood that has undergone dramatic demographic shifts over the past few decades.
“Located in a community where the African American population has shifted from 75% to 25%, housing aimed at increasing African American residency is critical,” said Earl Richardson, Executive Director of FAME Housing Association.
The project, supported by a coalition of public and private funders, will provide urgently needed housing while advancing long-term goals of racial and economic equity in Seattle. Financial partners include Citibank, Raymond James, the City of Seattle Office of Housing, Washington State Housing Finance Commission, Washington State Department of Commerce, Seattle Housing Authority, King County, Impact Capital, and FAME Housing Association. Additional support is being provided by the FAME Equity Alliance, which continues to lead efforts to ensure housing development serves historically excluded communities.
With the Central District’s Black population dramatically reduced due to decades of gentrification and displacement, the Bryant Manor redevelopment stands as a deliberate and community-rooted response to those trends. FAME Housing Association—founded by First AME Church—remains committed to developing housing that is not only affordable but reflects the cultural identity and resilience of the communities it serves.
Bryant Manor South is scheduled for completion in December 2026. Once completed, the development will offer more than just housing—it will represent a step forward in reclaiming community space, preserving legacy, and ensuring families and seniors have a place in the heart of a changing city.
