Seattle
Raven Terrace is a key element in the transformation of Yesler Terrace, a 30-acre site near the heart of Seattle that was developed by the Seattle Housing Authority in the early 1940s as the city’s first publicly subsidized housing. The building includes 83 new affordable apartments for people of all ages, a community gathering space, and space for a variety of unique social services.
An innovative aspect of the funding approach for Raven Terrace was the rezoning of the site for much higher density and the use of the increased land value to fund affordable housing through sale to the private market. Private market development will provide affordable and market-rate housing.
Amenities include a community center, a major new park, and a new education and learning center. New sidewalks, signalized street crossings, bike lanes, and a new streetcar line connecting to light-rail stations ensure that residents have safe and earth-friendly transportation options.
The Seattle Housing Authority has a lending library program to help promote reading and learning. The design team initiated a book drive, gathering over 250 gently used and new children’s books, reference texts, bilingual books, educational books, and novels to help fill the shelves of the Raven Terrace lobby bookshelf.