Paul Allen donates $30 million for homeless hub
Apr 26, 2017, 2:50 PM
Seattle Mayor Ed Murray makes the homeless hub official with representatives from Mercy Housing Northwest and Vulcan, Inc. (City of Seattle)
(City of Seattle)
Tech pioneer Paul Allen stepped up with $30 million to help pay for an affordable housing solution in Seattle.
“Paul Allen understands the homelessness crisis requires everyone in our community, particularly our business leaders, to help,” Seattle Mayor Ed Murray said.
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Paul Allen, of Microsoft fame, is donating $30 million in capital, and the City of Seattle is putting up $5 million, to go toward the development of a “resource hub for Seattle-area families with children who are experiencing homelessness,” according to the mayor’s office.
“This partnership with the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation will build permanent supportive housing for vulnerable homeless families with children and help the city leverage our affordable housing funds six-to-one,” Murray said. “Thank you to Paul Allen, his family, and the foundation for making this incredibly generous investment to address this crisis.”
From Paul Allen to Mercy Housing
The facility will be built, owned and operated by Mercy Housing Northwest. The affordable housing non-profit operates 48 similar properties in Washington state, serving about 5,000 people each year.
“We haven’t secured a site yet, but we will be looking for that and, roughly, we think it will take a little over a year to design and get permits, and a little over a year to build,” said Bill Rumpf, president of Mercy Housing Northwest.
Vulcan CEO Bill Hilf spoke on behalf of Paul Allen Wednesday when the development was announced. He explained that the need is apparent, especially as it relates to families.
“We believe that tackling homelessness is everyone’s responsibility,” Hilf said. “In greater King County, 47 percent of individuals in shelters or transitional housing are families with children. As a father myself, this is heartbreaking.”
In King County, there are currently about 1,684 families awaiting housing, according to the mayor’s office. Not to mention the more than 3,498 students experiencing homelessness in Seattle. About 43 percent of homeless adults experienced homelessness before the age of 25, according to Seattle’s recent homeless needs assessment.
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