Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) announced that Kebero Court, the first new residential building opened as part of SHA’s Yesler Terrace redevelopment of 30 acres near downtown Seattle, has started accepting residents.
According to SHA, people who were temporarily relocated due to demolition of aging housing at Yesler Terrace and residents who want to move from buildings at Yesler Terrace slated for future replacement have priority for apartments at Kebero Court. SHA is also accepting applications from income-eligible individuals and families who will be new to the Yesler Terrace community.
Yesler Terrace was the city’s first public housing, built 75 years ago by the newly established Seattle Housing Authority. The redevelopment of Yesler Terrace began in 2013 after SHA shaped a plan for replacing Yesler Terrace’s aging housing with a vibrant new community for Yesler residents and adding a significant amount of new housing for people across a spectrum of income levels. When completed, Yesler Terrace will have up to 5,000 apartments, a 1.8-acre central park, three pocket parks, a half-mile “Green Street” loop, a new landscaped stair and ramp connection to the Chinatown International District and Little Saigon, community gardening areas, retail businesses and office space. The community will continue to offer low-income residents a wide range of services to help them with increased education, health and employment opportunities.
Kebero Court, located at 1105 E Fir Street, was named for a style of drum important to cultural traditions in East Africa, reflecting the heritage of many who will call Kebero Court home or who live and work in the surrounding neighborhood. It has a total of 103 apartment and townhome units, a community room, and central courtyard and playground. There are accessible units for people with disabilities as well as “Breathe Easy” apartments, designed with special ventilation and surfaces to reduce incidences of asthma and other respiratory problems. The building features energy efficient appliances and lighting, and a green roof system.
The next residential building that will open at Yesler Terrace is under construction at 820 Yesler Way. Called Raven Terrace, it will have 83 apartments for low-income residents. It is expected to be completed by the end of 2015.
More information about the project and leasing is available at seattlehousing.org.
