'Heal our entire community': Affordable housing geared at Native tenants opens in Pioneer Square
Tenants have begun moving in at ʔálʔal, a new affordable housing space run by Chief Seattle Club in the heart of Pioneer Square, one of King County's oldest settled neighborhoods.
Designed by Native architects and decorated with work by Native artists, it is meant to be a "sacred space" for residents and a place to reunite American Indian and Native Alaskan people with programming, resources and events.
"It was in the plans for years before we broke the ground to build," Chief Seattle Club Executive Director Derrick Belgarde said. "Watching members come in, knowing it's going to change their lives, knowing it's going to help them thrive and will help to rebuild our community is very exciting."
While anyone can apply for housing, it is specifically designed and caters to the Native population. Chief Seattle Club says while Native Americans make up 1% of the generation population, they compose about 15% of people experiencing homelessness. A recent King County Regional Homelessness Authority report shows that when it comes to people who are chronically homeless the number is around 30%.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/heal-our-entire-community-affordable-housing-geared-at-native-tenants-opens-in-pioneer-square/ar-AATs0Cv