Saint Mark’s is exploring the redevelopment of the Saint Nicholas property for affordable housing as a key strategy in the broader vision of the Cathedral’s mission and purpose to seek and serve Christ in all persons. 

The Vestry formed the Affordable Housing (AH) Committee to further assess the opportunity of affordable housing on campus. This work is guided by the Cathedral's commitment to Restorative Justice and Systemic Change, Intergenerational and Innovative Community, and Creation Care and Carbon Reduction and builds upon the Cathedral's longstanding leadership addressing housing insecurity in the City of Seattle.

This flier provides a brief summary of the project: Affordable Housing Summary Flyer (pdf). Check back to this page for updates.

TIMELINE

  • May 2025: Saint Mark's signs a Memo of Agreement with affordable housing developer Redwood Housing.
  • February 2025: Committee recommends renewing the selection process of a development partner.
  • May 2024: Vestry approves continuing to explore affordable housing while shifting timeline of selecting a development partner.
  • March 2024: Vestry approves moving forward into phase to select a development partner.
  • January 2024:  Feasibility study works refines vision of two potential capacity studies on the site;  Vestry believes affordable housing is likely the highest and best mission-related use of the St. Nicholas site and that parishioners are highly supportive.
  • March 2023: Vestry unanimously approved recommendation to move forward with a “formal” feasibility assessment, based on outlined criteria, and engage the services of a development consultant.
  • Winter 2023: Initial exploratory phase includes 20+ interviews with community organization, establishing guiding criteria and outlining plan.
  • February 2023: Affordable housing discussed as part of ​strategic visioning at annual Vestry Retreat. 
  • September 2022: Formed the Affordable Housing ​Exploratory (AHE) Committee with Vestry, staff and ​parishioner representation for a focused exploration.

RESOURCES & ARTICLES

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Committee Chair: John Hoerster
Members: Karen Maeda Allman, Carmen Brady, Maria Do, Stone Fennell, Greg Hamm, Bethany Hoy, Re Knack, Scott Kovacs, Bryan Pansing, and Dean Steve Thomason
Consultant: Tory Laughlin Taylor

Questions? affordablehousing@saintmarks.org 

Housing Justice Ministries

Saint Mark’s is committed to addressing a spectrum of issues to respond to housing insecurity issues in Seattle. Click here to read about other housing justice ministries at Saint Mark’s.

Check out this brief (2.5-minute) video from Dean Steve Thomason: Engaging Mission, Exploring Affordable Housing on Campus.

F.A.Q. 

Why is Saint Mark’s exploring affordable housing?

The Vestry has identified affordable housing as a missional initiative worthy of Saint Mark’s consideration. The continued rise in the cost of buying and renting homes in Seattle has exacerbated a housing crisis. Growth in the private market housing sector does not address the needs of those with lower incomes. More housing is needed that will remain affordable to lower-income households for the long term.

The Vestry sees the possible redevelopment of the St. Nicholas property as a strategy serving the broader vision of the Cathedral’s mission and purpose to seek and serve Christ in all persons, to strive for respect and dignity for all people, and to build on our long-term commitment to address homelessness and hunger in the Puget Sound region.

If affordable housing is developed on campus, what is envisioned?

Neighborhoods matter to the fabric and well-being of families. This project tangibly creates an opportunity for many individuals and families to experience an affordable home closely connected to schools, transit, urban amenities, and green spaces.

The Affordable Housing (AH) Committee is looking to serve a multigenerational population at a variety of lower income levels. The AH Committee and Vestry envision the design would be fitting architecturally with campus, include initiatives to minimize carbon impact, and create opportunity for meaningful connection for residents, parishioners, and community members to interact as part of daily life including the intentional use of greenspace.

What is the plan for the St. Nicholas building?

Any change in building use would unfold over a period of a few years. The structure has aesthetic beauty, history, and personal connection for many, but also has major repair, maintenance, and operational challenges. The AH Committee is carefully assessing the costs and benefits of preserving the building, modifying the building, or pursuing new construction with the primary goals of safety for residents, sustainability, and financial viability.

How can I learn more?

Visit this page for updates, contact affordablehousing@saintmarks.org, or subscribe to the Cathedral’s newsletter here. (Check the "All-parish Announcements & Newsletter" box.)

WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2025

Special Parish Forum: Affordable Housing Project Update

On Wednesday evening, May 21, several exciting announcements were made in a special Cathedral Commons forum led by Dean Thomason, Affordable Housing Committee Chair John Hoerster, and committee members.

The cathedral is happy to announce that it has signed a Memo of Agreement with the national affordable housing developer Redwood Housing. To date, Redwood and its affiliates have sponsored more than $2 billion of impact development and investment activities with a particular focus on the preservation and rehabilitation of affordable senior, family, and historically significant housing communities. They have served more than 50,000 residents across hundreds of properties throughout 15 states including Michigan, California, Ohio, and Hawaii, although they work from an office in Seattle and have a significant and growing presence in the Capitol Hill neighborhood.

Redwood housing and Saint Mark's Cathedral look forward to a true partnership in this multi-year project, with completion currently projected for late 2029 (best-case scenario). Saint Mark's will retain ownership involvement in key decisions, including rights of approval for the design, sustainability, affordability, and unit mix. The cathedral expects ongoing financial return through economic participation. The development will include a "third space"—a communal gathering space which will serve cathedral parishioners, residents, and the broader community.

In addition the announcement of the Memo of Agreement, the forum also included updates on Saint Mark's community engagement with respect to this project. There have been two meeting with the City of Seattle's Office of Housing. The cathedral is applying for a Washington State tax credit as a community-based organization which is addressing the needs of communities historically harmed by housing disparities.

Slides for the presentation can be downloaded here and the complete video can be seen below:

Past Events

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2024

A Cathedral's Complicity in Redlining and Restrictive Covenants

A forum exploring the impact of Civil Rights history and racial segregation to consider how church communities, including Saint Mark’s, have a responsibility to honest face this and respond in just ways in our time. 

A complete video and other resources from this forum can now be found here.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2024

Affordable Housing Updates

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2023

Sunday Morning Q&A with Affordable Housing Committee

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2023

Forum Exploring Affordable Housing on Campus