Brettler Family Place

“Moving here is a dream come true,” said Joy Sparks, who along with her two children are among the first residents of the new 51-unit Brettler Family Place in Magnuson Park, which provides affordable, permanent housing with support services for formerly homeless families. “It’s a beautiful place for me to raise my kids and get my life back together.”

While more than 30 families have already moved in to the apartments and townhouses built along the eastern edge of Magnuson Park by Solid Ground, friends and dignitaries will gather Thursday, April 6 from 5:30 – 7:30pm to celebrate the facility’s grand opening and dedicate the development’s community center in honor of former Governor Mike Lowry and his wife. Lowry was one of the principal sponsors of the McKinney-Vento Act, which provides Federal funding to homeless services.

Please join us!

Among those scheduled to speak (program begins at 6pm) are:
•    Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn
•    Washington State Speaker Frank Chopp
•    Dan and Cindy Brettler of the Brettler Family Foundation
•    Former Governor Mike Lowry
•    Brettler Family Place Resident Joy Sparks

Townhouses, views to Lake Washington

Brettler Family Place was developed in the housing zone established in 1997 in Magnuson Park when the City took over Naval Station Puget Sound. Initially, homeless people were housed in 94 units in renovated Navy buildings. Since 2000, more than 2,000 homeless people have lived in transitional housing at Sand Point, and about 90% of the residents have moved on to permanent housing.

The new facilities are permanent housing made affordable through facilities-based Section 8 funding, which means that residents pay 30% of their adjusted family income for the two-, three- and four-bedroom units. Solid Ground plans to develop another 54 units, 20 for families and 34 for single men and women, including veterans, seniors and people living with disabilities. When complete, the Sand Point Housing zone will comprise 200 units.

Residents at Brettler Family Place can take advantage of onsite case management services to help them continue to make progress on their goals. Children’s programs and community events will be organized in the Lowry Community Center, a separate building in the center of the complex that also houses support staff offices.

“New housing at Sand Point fits right into the goals of the 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness,” said Dan Brettler, CEO of Car Toys, and co-chair of the Committee to End Homelessness in King County. “It’s fantastic to see Solid Ground doing more to help our community end homelessness.”

We are still about $515,000 in private funds shy of realizing our goal for the final stage of construction. If you are interested in donating, contact Ali Freidman: alif@solid-ground.org.

Hope to see you at the celebration on 4/7!