One of the signal challenges of the Seattle-area multifamily market is providing enough affordable and workforce housing. This week an interdisciplinary team of UW grad students and its proposal for a 69-unit affordable housing development in Tacoma’s Wedge neighborhood won the 24th annual Bank of America Low-Income Housing Challenge. Back: Martha Sassorossi, Genevieve Hale-Case, Raymond Sayers, Ben Broesamle, Mohammed Alhumaid. Front: Zi Cai and Sam Yimparsit.

Team member Raymond Sayers tells us that, among other things, the project features a semi-private courtyard with inward-facing units to provide green space, and natural light infiltration that promotes healthy living. The central courtyard also allows for a space in which to mix and interact, promoting a stronger residential community.

Also, the SE rooftop provides a community-run P-Patch Garden, with views facing Mt. Rainier. The P-Patch would total 1k SF, and by agreement at least 50% of the produce would be made available for the project's residents, while the rest is for the Salvation Army Food Pantry. The building plan also calls for 6k SF of solar thermal heating panels.