Homestead starts construction of affordable cottages in Tukwila

Homestead Community Land Trust broke ground last week on 18 homes on land previously owned by Riverton Park United Methodist Church on the northeast corner of Military Road South and South 140th Street in Tukwila. Most of the homes will be permanently affordable to modest-income households (60-80% of area median income) through Homestead’s community land trust.

Called The Southard, the development will have three- and four-bedroom homes in cottage-style duplex configurations, with 115- to 151-square-foot front porches. Homes will range from 1,232 to 1,322 square feet and be priced between $305,000 and $315,000. Two of the homes will be managed by Parkview Services and will house persons with disabilities. Five will be market rate. Homestead says proceeds from the market-rate homes will be used to reduce the prices of the affordable homes.

All homes will achieve net zero energy usage through highly energy-efficient systems and materials, and the use of solar panels for on-site energy generation — making them more affordable to own, while also addressing climate change and water quality.

Some of the sustainable elements will include:

• Recycled-content fiber cement siding with low/no VOC paint.

• Multi-zone ductless heating/cooling systems.

• High-efficiency heat pump water heat.

• At least 75% construction waste recycled.

• Thermal pane windows with low-e glazing.

• Low-flow water fixtures.

• Cork-based plank and linoleum flooring that is PVC free and recyclable.

• Quartz countertops made from recycled stone-cutting waste.

The homes will be on the Military Road bus line and within a mile of Tukwila International Boulevard light rail station.

Homestead says The Southard is the first at-scale affordable homeownership project in Tukwila. Sales are expected to begin next year.

Sage Architectural Alliance is the architect and Edge Community Builders is the general contractor.

The state Department of Commerce is one of the funders through the Housing Trust and the Ultra High Energy Efficiency Demonstration Fund. Other team members are Heritage Bank, Community Frameworks and King County.

The development is named to honor the late Patti Southard, a greenbuilding activist who advocated for this project.