With market rents skyrocketing in Delridge over the decade of the 1990's, DNDA is concerned that low income families who have traditionally lived in Delridge are being forced to move out of the neighborhood. Some move in with relatives, others live one paycheck from homelessness. We believe that creating affordable housing is the cornerstone of a thriving community, allowing families to put down roots and develop a feeling of belonging. DNDA continues to develop and preserve affordable housing opportunities for a range of households.

Affordable Housing Preservation
In response to the skyrocketing rents in the Seattle area, DNDA has worked with private apartment owners to purchase their properties using a mix of public and private funds to ensure that rents would be affordable over the long haul for the low income families who live in the buildings. Deferred maintenance is addressed, energy and water conservation measures are installed and in some cases rents are even lowered to make them more affordable.

Affordable Housing Resources
DNDA has become the place many Delridge residents come to find help improving their housing. Through referrals, information, classes, and our annual housing fair, hundreds of our neighbors have found the tools they need to stabilize their housing situation, address barriers they face, or purchase their first home.

Brandon Court
Brandon Court was DNDA's first building project and included 17 townhouse condominiums for sale to first time homebuyers on top of 4,500 square feet of commercial space. DNDA provided down payment assistance to four of the buyers who would not have been able to purchase their first home without it.

Vivian McLean Place
Named for one of DNDA's founders and a 50 year Delridge activist, Vivian McLean Place was built along with the Delridge Branch of the Seattle Public Library in 2002. Nineteen affordable apartments above a neighborhood library is a great place for families to live. And Library staff provide homework help too!

Croft Place Townhomes
Croft Place is more than quality, affordable housing. Its design encourages community building among residents through support programs, a central courtyard and play space. In a society that often sees environmental sensitivity and open space preservation as unaffordable luxuries, Croft Place stands out as a model of sustainability, built to high standards of energy and water efficiency, air quality and materials.

Cooper Artist Housing at the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center
The historic Youngstown/Cooper School provides 36 affordable live/work studios for rent to artists of all disciplines. The ground floor houses the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center focusing on youth and the many cultures of the surrounding Delridge community.

West Seattle Food Bank & Community Resource Center
The new West Seattle Food Bank & Community Resource Center will offer hope along with resources to build self-esteem and personal security, while reconnecting families to support networks. As the hub of a community of social services, the Food Bank and its partners will encourage and assist clients as they take an active role in their journey towards empowerment and self-sufficiency.