Plymouth Affordable Housing Development

Permanent Supportive Housing in Kenmore

Project Update

January 22, 2024: At the January 22 meeting, the Kenmore City Council voted 5-2 to deny the development agreement for the proposed Plymouth Supportive Housing development at 6532 Bothell Way NE.  Read the press release.

January 18, 2024: At a special meeting, the Kenmore City Council voted 4-3 to bring back an ordinance denying the development agreement for the proposed Plymouth Permanent Supportive Housing development at 6532 Bothell Way NE. According to the Kenmore Municipal Code, a final decision on the development agreement must come in the form of an ordinance. City staff plan to bring forward an ordinance denying the development agreement during the January 22 city council meeting as part of the consent agenda. 

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Project Frequently Asked Questions
Plymouth Permanent Supportive Housing FAQ Document
(Published on the January 18, 2024 Council Meeting Agenda)

Project Background:

The Kenmore City Council’s number one priority for 2021-2022 was to increase and preserve the options for affordable housing stock. In support of this goal, the City developed a Request for Proposals (RFP) for affordable housing on City-owned property at 6532 Bothell Way NE following Council discussions on October 25, 2021, and November 15, 2021. 

The City received three RFP responses and presented the RFP Affordable Housing Development Proposal from Plymouth Housing Group (Plymouth) to the City Council at the May 31, 2022, meeting. The May 31, 2022, agenda materials, which include Plymouth’s RFP Response to construct and operate a six-floor apartment building to include one hundred (100) residential units and approximately 2,184 SF of commercial space and also includes site construction and design depictions, are located at: Kenmore - Document Center (civicweb.net). 

At the City Council’s June 21, 2022, meeting, City staff again presented Plymouth’s proposed Affordable Housing Project. Council approved the selection of the Proposal submitted by Plymouth Housing in response to City RFP 22-2789, and authorized the City to move forward with creating a partnership with Plymouth Housing and A Regional Coalition for Housing to develop affordable housing consistent with the Plymouth Housing Proposal; allocated $3.2 million in City funds for the development of affordable housing in the City consistent with the Plymouth Housing Proposal, and provided staff direction to initiate negotiations with Plymouth Housing and/or ARCH for a property transfer agreement, development agreement, and any other necessary agreements. The June 21, 2022, agenda materials are located at: https://kenmore.civicweb.net/document/121367

When the partnership with Plymouth was approved by the Kenmore City Council on June 21, 2022, the proposal was described as serving those at or below 30% Area Median Income (AMI) with a focus on seniors, veterans, individuals with disabilities and those who were formerly homeless.

Funding for the project took over a year to secure and came from a complex variety of sources, including the City of Kenmore and ARCH. As a condition of the funding from the Department of Commerce and the Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC), the project was required to serve single adults with no children with an income of 30% or less of Area Median Income and are homeless at entry (which can include “couch surfing”, living in transitional housing, and staying in a shelter). This project was Permanent Supportive Housing, which means that Plymouth would have provided tenants with supportive services in addition to housing, and 24/7 onsite staffing of the building.

What is permanent supportive housing?

Permanent supportive housing is not a shelter or transitional housing, this is rental housing for individuals at or below 30% of the Area Median Income ($28,700 per year in 2023) that provides the additional benefit of supportive services tailored to the needs of the resident. It is a proven, cost-effective, and compassionate model utilized by Plymouth Housing that provides tenants with supportive services in addition to housing. Residents of this property will enter into a lease similar to any other rental housing development, with the added benefit of onsite resources including case management, health care, communal activities, and behavioral health treatment. Plymouth would have provided 24/7 onsite staffing of the building.

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Additional Background Information:

City Council Presentations and Agenda Items
Project Summary
Plymouth Community Engagement
Plymouth Development Background
RFP Process
Development Agreement

Additional Housing Resources and Information

Find more information about Kenmore's planning initiatives, including affordable housing, the Housing Strategy Plan and "Missing Middle" housing here.