PAHO
permanently affordable home ownership

Schemata Workshop was approached by a previous client to design this site as a homeownership opportunity for low-income families in the face of the City’s housing crisis. Schemata Workshop recommended two potential partners to act as the developer on the behalf of the property owner. The property was then donated to Homestead Community Land Trust to make the project happen. The building will accommodate a mix of deed-restricted, permanently affordable homes as well as market-rate homes. 

Located across the street from the northwest corner of the Woodland Park Zoo, PAHO will be a mixed-use development of 29 homes and 1500sf of commercial space. Developed for Forward Cohousing, an intentional neighborhood for people of diverse abilities, the homes will incorporate features of universal design to ensure that residents of all ages can successfully age in place over their lifetime. The vision is that the community will be inclusive to a diverse population – not only in physical and intellectual abilities but also in age, family composition, ethnicity, and socio-economic levels. True to cohousing, the homes will all be fully independent, but there will also be a common house on the ground floor and rooftop amenities for the residents to support regular community meals, entertainment, and social activities.  

The site is located in a walkable neighborhood commercial zone with retail amenities nearby, a playground across the street, and spectacular views in either direction to the Cascade and Olympic Mountains. The property is well-served by transit with a bus stop located right in front of the building.  Commercial spaces will be first offered to the current retail tenants, and potentially as ownership opportunities to these locally-owned small businesses. 

Project Information

CLIENT
Homestead Community Land Trust

LOCATION
Seattle, WA

PROJECT TYPE
Multi-family Housing

COMPLETED
Anticipated Spring 2024

SCOPE
Site Selection
Feasibility Study
Programming
Schematic Design
Design Development
Construction Documents

PROJECT TEAM
Schemata Workshop (Architect) Civil: TCC and Associates Inc. Geotech: Robinson Noble Inc MEP: Robison Engineering Inc Landscape: Nakano Associates; Structural: Integrated Design Engineers LLC