Affordable housing-related cleanup

Ecology report — Affordable housing cleanup update: 2023–25 biennium

Removing toxic threats opens the door to put properties back into use. We are making it easier to redevelop once-contaminated properties into housing that communities can afford. These investments help reduce the gentrification and displacement of low income communities that often follows site cleanup and redevelopment.

Why is Ecology supporting affordable housing developments?

Washington is in dire need of affordable housing across the state. Contamination, or even the suspicion of contamination, drives up the costs of housing development. The high cost leaves little incentive for developers to build affordable housing.

The new site is currently a cement pad between downtown, and Western Washington University, inland of the train tracks. — On our blog: The Port of Bellingham, Ecology, and Mercy Housing Northwest have agreed to work together on a section of the Georgia Pacific West site in Bellingham.

In addition to the usual risks of redevelopment, cleaning up contaminated sites can be a complex process with considerable risk. The cost and time associated with cleaning up a site is often poorly understood; as a result, many sites are left vacant or underused for years, even decades. Supporting cleanups for affordable housing helps make sure the cleanup gets done, protecting the community’s health and the environment.

Current projects from the pilot program

Five story apartment building, playground in front

The Mount Baker Housing Authority’s Maddux development was Ecology’s first affordable housing project. Cleanup and building construction was completed in 2022. The project is a residential complex with about 200 affordable housing units in Seattle’s Mt. Baker neighborhood, next to the Mt. Baker Light Rail station. This development highlights the exciting potential for turning contaminated properties into affordable community- and transit-oriented housing.

See the Mt. Baker Properties and Phillips 66 gas station webpages for more information on the cleanups.

Two story building under construction, in front of old brick industrial building.

Mercy Millworks Family Housing will be on a portion of the Georgia Pacific West cleanup site. One of Ecology’s early affordable housing pilot projects, we awarded the project an Affordable Housing Planning Grant in the 2019–21 biennium and an Affordable Housing Cleanup Grant in the 2021–23 biennium. The project has secured affordable housing financing for construction.

Crews have completed cleanup work in preparation for building construction. Phase 1 construction includes developing about 83 units of workforce and family housing and an early childhood education center, owned and operated by Mercy Housing Northwest. Additional Phase 2 project work will add a community kitchen, commercial spaces, and a public open space.

We are supporting assessment and cleanup activities for the Grand Street Commons project, on three city blocks in Seattle’s Mount Baker neighborhood. Ecology and Mount Baker Housing Authority signed a prospective purchaser consent decree in May 2018. The project proponents have assessed existing contamination and are currently implementing the cleanup remedy.

The project serves a highly impacted community and would provide an additional 150 affordable housing units for Seattle residents near the future Judkins Park light rail station.

The Mount Baker Rainier and Genesee project is on the Rainier Mall cleanup site, a former commercial property contaminated by dry cleaners and creosote from pilings supporting one of the buildings. Ecology signed a Prospective Purchaser Consent Decree with the project proponents, CHDA Lake City LLLP, to assess and clean up the contamination. The planned redevelopment of this site will transform the underutilized property into a 5-story commercial and residential complex with roughly 150 affordable housing units and 220 market rate units.

The Boathouse Inc Renton Skyway project is located on two adjacent former commercial properties in Seattle, part of the Boathouse Inc Renton Skyway site. The project proponents (Gardner Global Inc.) received an Affordable Housing Planning Grant to assess site contamination and conduct related planning activities. The project proponents have proposed a mixed use redevelopment with commercial and retail space, a multifamily condominium with at least 100 affordable housing units, and community space.

New Affordable Housing Cleanup Grant Program

Opens summary page for affordable housing grant document

Read about affordable housing grant successes

We created a permanent, competitive grant program specifically for affordable housing cleanups. Ecology’s Affordable Housing Cleanup Grant Program will provide grants for planning and cleanup of contaminated sites intended for affordable housing development. The program will support communities by:

Cleaning up environmental contamination for residential use.
Providing meaningful community engagement that informs and shapes decisions throughout the cleanup process.
Integrating longer-term goals of shared economic and community asset building across a diverse population.

Affordable housing cleanup grants

The first solicitation for affordable housing cleanup projects ended March 8, 2022. Projects receiving grant funding for the 2023–2025 biennium will be announced in 2023.

In the meantime, we’re helping local governments and developers identify resources that are already available to keep affordable housing projects moving forward. If you would like assistance on a potential project, please contact us.

Affordable housing planning grants

The grant program also includes grants for planning affordable housing cleanup projects. In the summer of 2023, we will solicit proposals for planning grants.

Planning grants help developers better understand if a property is suitable for residential use before redeveloping the property.

Translated content

Historia de éxito del Programa de Limpieza de Contaminación Tóxica en Áreas de Revitalización de Terrenos Contaminados: Financiación para limpiezas relacionadas a viviendas asequibles

El Departamento de Ecología de Washington comenzará a aceptar solicitudes para nuestro Programa de Subvenciones para la Limpieza de Viviendas Asequibles en el 2022. Los solicitantes seleccionados recibirán los fondos en la segunda mitad del 2023. El programa proporciona fondos para cubrir los costos de limpieza y reducir los riesgos financieros para desarrolladores que construyan viviendas asequibles.

Câu chuyện thành công của Chương Trình Tẩy Nhiễm Chất Độc Toxics Brownfield: Tài Trợ Tẩy Nhiễm Liên Quan Nhà Giá Phải Chăng

Bộ Môi Sinh bang Washington sẽ bắt đầu nhận đơn đăng ký Chương Trình Tài Trợ Tẩy Nhiễm Cho Nhà Giá Phải Chăng vào năm 2022. Những đơn được trúng tuyển sẽ nhận tài trợ vào nửa cuối năm 2023. Chương trình cung cấp kinh phí để bù đắp chi phí tẩy nhiễm và giảm rủi ro tài chính cho các công ty xây dựng nhà giá phải chăng.

저비용 주택지 개발을 위한 토양정화 지원자금

와싱턴주 환경부에서는2022년도 토양오염 정화및 저비용주택지 무상 지원 프로그램 (Affordable Housing Cleanup Grant Program) 응시접수를 받고있다. 선발된이는 2023년 후반기에 지원금을 받는다. 이프로그램은 개발업자를 위한것으로 정화비용을 지원하며 저비용 주택지를 건설을 위한 필요한 재정위험 요소를 덜어주기 위함이다.

We offer free language services about our programs and services for people whose primary language is not English. We can provide written information in your preferred language and interpreters in person or over the telephone.

Contact our Language Access team: civilrights@ecy.wa.gov

Contact information

Laurie Dahmen
Affordable Housing Lead
Laurie.Dahmen@ecy.wa.gov
360-628-7499