Committee backs $482,687 IHIP recommendation to help preserve group home for people with developmental disabilities

The Service, Safety and Parks Committee on Jan. 28 recommended that full council consider a $482,687 award from the city’s Inclusive Housing Investment Pool (IHIP) to Life Enrichment Options (LEO) to acquire and preserve an existing group home known in materials as Emily House.

Jen Davis Hayes, Economic Development Manager, told the committee the administration recommends capital funding of $482,687 from the IHIP program for LEO to acquire the property and continue using it as housing for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. “We are here to present a recommendation from the administration for the LEO … for funding of $482,687 from our IHIP program,” Davis Hayes said.

The proposed acquisition would preserve housing for four income‑qualified residents who currently live in the five‑bed home; the fifth bedroom is occupied by an on‑site caregiver who is not income‑qualified. Patrick, an ARCH staff member presenting with city staff, said the project would serve households earning roughly 30–40 percent of area median income and that the ARCH board recommended a comparable award from ARCH funds. “Their proposal is to support four households, earning incomes between 30–40% of the area median income,” Patrick said.

Why it matters: IHIP dollars come from the city’s 0.1 percent sales tax and are restricted by state statute to serve households at 60 percent AMI or below and to target specified priority populations. Committee members emphasized preservation of deeply affordable units (0–40% AMI) and praised the project’s ability to leverage additional funding from ARCH and a state Department of Commerce award.

Key details and committee direction - Amount recommended from IHIP: $482,687 (capital only). Committee discussion said the review committee recommended not to fund the applicant’s separate request for ongoing annual operating support of about $55,000; ARCH and city staff offered to help the applicant pursue other operating funds. - Project scope: acquire and continue to operate an existing five‑bed group home serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities; four residents are income‑qualified tenants; the fifth bedroom houses a live‑in caregiver. - Leverage: ARCH recommended a comparable award from its trust fund; the state Department of Commerce provided a larger award that the presenters said helps the project reach financial close. - Council calendar: committee members indicated the item is expected to go to full council on Feb. 24 and that administration recommends placement on the consent calendar.

Public comment and council views Two residents who identified themselves as Issaquah residents and community volunteers spoke in support of LEO and the project’s preservation goals. Kelly Jane, who said she is a resident and homeowner in Issaquah, called the project “a great first project to kick off this program” and praised the partnership with ARCH and LEO. Jason Boyce, also a resident, described the project as an effective public‑private partnership.

Committee members spoke several times in favor of forwarding the recommendation to full council. Council Member Joe praised ARCH’s role and said he supported sending the matter forward; the Deputy Council President (title used in the meeting) noted the project addresses a long‑standing need for stable housing for people with developmental disabilities.

What the award would (and would not) do The committee recommendation is for capital preservation only: pay to acquire the property so that the current residents remain housed when the existing operator retires. Committee members and city staff said they expect LEO to operate the home and to pursue operating subsidies from other sources; the committee specifically declined to recommend city IHIP funds for the applicant’s annual operating request.

Next steps The administration will place the IHIP award recommendation on the full council agenda for Feb. 24 and recommended it be handled on consent unless council members request otherwise. ARCH staff said they would coordinate contract administration if the council approves the award.

Ending note Committee members and public commenters framed the recommendation as a preservation success that leverages state and regional funds to keep four deeply affordable homes available in Issaquah.