Solution to the Affordable-Housing Problem?

A new building on Capitol Hill revisits an old concept. Videre is a rooming house which offers 46 rooms of affordable housing, but some neighbors have concerns.

The size of the rooms range 90- 168 square feet, including a bathroom. Monthly rent of $500-600 includes utilities, Internet, community kitchens with a personal locker for each resident to keep food. There are 6 parking spaces, to serve the entire 46 units, for an extra $80 a month. Parking  is one of the  issues for some of  the neighbors where street parking is a premium. Neighbors were also surprised by how many residents will be living at Videre as the project was filed to the city (through an apparent loop-hole) as a six-unit town-house development. Some neighbors still are fuming about the possible impact that many people may have on the surrounding residents.

This building will appeal to those young adults just out of college or those working  lower wage jobs. It gives this population an affordable option without having to live in a dump. Seems like a good idea so we’ll see how this impacts the neighborhood. Another similar project, by the same company, Calhoun Properties, is planned to open a new 30-room project in the University District next month.

To read more:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009520937_roominghouse23.html