Best Start for Kids – Youth & Family Homelessness Prevention

Posted on 26 June 202326 June 2023 by Ashley Haugen

Best Start for Kids – Youth & Family Homelessness Prevention

We help youth or family at risk of becoming homeless to receive the support needed to resolve their housing crisis quickly, and to empower households to maintain stable housing for the future.

This program is part of coordinated system of addressing homelessness throughout King County, working to resolve housing crisis before they result in a housing loss. We focus on addressing the immediate issues placing the family or youth at risk of homelessness. We can help negotiate payments plans with your landlord, connect you to additional supports, and limited assistance with rent and housing costs in combination with case management.

Eligibility Requirement

Youth and young adults (12-24) and families with children under the age of 24.
Households must be at imminent risk of homelessness and considered highly vulnerable to becoming homeless without assistance
Family cannot stabilize without help (example: higher wage, lower rent, social supports).
History of homelessness and evictions

Program Managers

Bere Sanchez, YFHPI Case Manager

Bere has over 10 years of experience working in social services. She has a passion for working with large diverse communities in King County.

Please contact Bere to get help!

bsanchez@elcentrodelaraza.org

(206) 973-4404

Frequently Asked Questions

What does YFHPI NOT do?

This is not a rental assistance program and we cannot provide an ongoing rental subsidy.

Can my Case Manager pay my rent?

If there is rental debt associated with your current situation and you are at risk of becoming literally homeless, your case manager will discuss options with you. Some rental assistance may be available. If you are already being evicted, we have other programs to help.

Partners

Rental Counseling and Foreclosure Prevention

Posted on 16 June 202316 June 2023 by Ashley Haugen

Rental Counseling and Foreclosure Prevention

The program provides one-on-one counseling to renters and homeowners who are going through a hardship and are behind or at risk of falling behind on their rent and mortgage payments.

We understand that life events, the pandemic and other circumstances may have had a significant impact on your housing situation, and we want to work with you to help you understand your options. In order to do this, we will listen to you, go over your credit report, create and develop a budget as well as an action plan that would address your unique housing needs. By looking at all those elements we will be able to educate and provide the resources that would best fit your situation.

Eligibility Requirement

Must have a housing instability (loss of income, eviction, foreclosure etc.).
Must provide proof of income, unemployment or other benefits
Must provide SSN/ ITIN

Program Managers

Denisa Aitonean

Denisa is a HUD- Certified Housing Counselor and has a background in psychology and social services. Denisa believes that people can overcome great challenges with the right support and is passionate about helping and empowering clients to become self-sufficient through education, guidance, encouragement and adequate resources. Denisa takes part in ongoing training opportunities to continue to expand her knowledge in order to best assist her clients.

Janet Torres Garcia

Janet is a HUD-Certified Counselor who has received certificates on Foundations of Foreclosure Prevention, Foundation of Pre-Purchase, and The Psychology of Money. Janet’s mission has always been to help individuals overcome their challenges through financial literacy, housing counseling, and education. Janet is also the Financial Empowerment Coordinator that can help you get connected with homebuyer education classes offered once every quarter and “tandas” or Leading Circles program to help improve your credit and savings.

Please contact Denisa or Janet for more information!

jtgarcias@elcentrodelaraza.org

(206)671-8860

daitonean@elcentrodelaraza.org

(206)671-8861

Frequently Asked Questions

What is housing counseling?

Housing counseling addresses the client’s housing barriers and helps them achieve their housing goal by providing advice and resources tailored to their unique situation.

Does your program offer financial assistance?

No, the program provides individual counseling to asses your situation and help you identify other community resources which may provide monetary assistance.

Will you find a place for me to live?

No, we will be helping you find resources and assist you in the process of finding stable housing.

Partners

Lending Circles/Tandas

Posted on 2 June 202321 June 2023 by Ashley Haugen

Lending Circles/Tandas

The program provides a safe way to create and build credit and savings.

Through non-profit partnership with Mission Asset Fund we offer Lending Circles; a social practice that has been formalized for those that don’t have access to mainstream financial loan products in credit-unions or banks

Eligibility Requirement

18+ years old
Personal email account
Valid photo I.D.
SSN or ITIN
Checking account
Income (e.g., wages, benefits, etc.)

Program Managers

Janet Torres Garcia, Housing Counselor

Janet is a HUD-Certified Counselor who is certified in the Foundations of Foreclosure Prevention, Foundation of Pre-Purchase, and The Psychology of Money. Janet’s mission has always been to help individuals overcome their challenges through financial literacy, housing counseling, and education. Janet is also the Financial Empowerment Coordinator and can help you get connected with homebuyer education classes offered once every quarter and “Tandas” or Lending Circles program to help improve your credit and savings.

For more information or to get involved, contact Janet!

jtgarcias@elcentrodelaraza.org

(206) 671-8860

Frequently Asked Questions

How does it work?

Apply Online- Submit an application at LendingCircles.org and complete survey and 1 financial education series or 5 financial education modules.
Join a Lending Circle- Attend a formation to meet people in your community and finalize circle details
Pay & Build Credit- Make all your payments on the 17th of each month to establish or build credit
Get Lour Loan- Receive your loan on the 25th of your designated distribution month

How does Will this help me?

Give you access to a 0% interest social loan
Establish and build your credit
Increase your financial knowledge
Know your money is safe
Meet new people and save together

When will it appear on My credit report?

May take 3-6 months to appear on credit reports and will appear as “MISNASSETFUND”

Partners

First-Time Homebuyer Education

Posted on 1 June 2023 by Ashley Haugen

First-Time Homebuyer Education

The program provides an overview of the home buying process and how to avoid foreclosure.

Through local partnerships, we offer a homebuyer education class sponsored by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC) four times a year. This class is free and open to all community members. It is to teach potential homebuyers how to purchase a home and how to navigate the whole homebuying processes. This class includes information about the WSHFC’s first mortgage programs, down payment assistance, and other loan programs.

Eligibility Requirement

Personal email address
Camera
Live/or plan on buying a home in Washington State

Program Managers

Janet Torres Garcia-Housing Counselor

Need help or want more information?

Frequently Asked Questions

When are these classes offered?

Once every 3 months on the first Saturday of the month.

What is the 2-year certificate for?

This certificate provides proof to the lender that you have taken a WSHFC sponsored homebuyer class that could potentially qualify you for Commission down payment assistance programs/loans.

How long is the class?

The course contains about five hours of material, so it is about five and a half hours total.

Partners

Plaza Benefits Navigator

Posted on 25 May 202314 June 2023 by Ashley Haugen

Plaza Benefits Navigator

Helping our tenants access the support and services they need to thrive

Our Benefits Navigator can support our Plaza and El Patio residents with a variety of services including rental assistance, utility discount programs, job search assistance, and other benefits or support resident may need. Assistance is available in English and Spanish.

Eligibility Requirement

Plaza Roberto Maestas Tenant
El Patio Tenant

Program Managers

Briseida Torres, Benefits Navigator

Briseida is passionate about helping our community! She graduated from Washington State University with a Bachelors degree in Human Development and loves to travel.

Plaza Roberto Maestas or El Patio resident are automatically enrolled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you able to assist anyone?

No, this program is only for Plaza and El Patio tenants.

What days are you in the office?

Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

Partners

Four Amigos Affordable Housing in Columbia City

Posted on 3 September 202128 June 2023 by Ashley Haugen

Four Amigos-Beloved Community

Affordable housing in Columbia City Seattle

El Centro de la Raza is bringing a mixed use, affordable housing development to Columbia City.

ECDLR will redevelop three parcels of land located at 3728, 3808 and 3740 South Angeline Street in Columbia City. The site will be redeveloped with a single, elevator serviced, six-story mixed use building with five stories of residential units above two, non-residential condominium units on the ground floor of the building. This project will be called: The Four Amigos-Beloved Community.

The residential component of the project will consist of 87 apartments of affordable housing for families. There will be 40 one-bedroom, 29 two-bedroom, and 18 three-bedroom apartments.

Rents will range from $651 to $1,805.
On site amenities for residents will include a management office, community room, rooftop open space, bicycle racks, trash and recycling chutes, and laundry rooms.

The two, non-residential components of the project will consist of space for a child development center and community church.

The Jose Marti Child Development Center will be a multifaceted, dual language child development center with two toddler and two preschool rooms. The center will have an outdoor play space geared toward children under the age of five and will include developmentally appropriate play opportunities.
The center will be operated by El Centro de la Raza, a nationally recognized provider of high quality, early childhood education. Enrollment will be open to all members of the community serving families through private but also subsidized pay, utilizing programs such as DCFY and CCAP.

We believe art is so important to creating a welcoming and dignified environment. The art embedded into this project reflects the diversity of the Latinx community, which includes Afro-Latino, indigenous and mestizo inspired designs. The art elements are part of the building façade and the playground. The art design includes tile mosaic murals and painted murals.

The second unit will be a 2,600 square foot community church for the Church of Hope. This space will have a double -height ceiling and entry on Angeline Street. The church will also have 18 surface parking spots on the north side of the project. Services and events held by the church will be open to the community.

We have had several community meetings over the last year. We invite you to check out previous meeting recordings or slideshows below.

June 2023 community meeting slides
March 2022 community meeting recording and slides
September 2021 community meeting slides
November 2021 community meeting slides

Please email us at ECCCinfo@elcentrodelaraza.org for a copy of past presentations. The presentation is available in Spanish, Amharic, Somali, Vietnamese, and Traditional Chinese.

The Final Design Review Packet for the project has been submitted to the City of Seattle. This packet will provide details such as size, shape, materials, and how the development relates to the site. The packet and more information can be found here: https://web6.seattle.gov/dpd/edms/default.aspx?ref=3039140-EG

Questions? Please contact us at (206) 957-4650 or ECCCinfo@elcentrodelaraza.org.

Rendering: Looking NW from intersection of 39th and South Angeline

Rendering: Jose Marti Child Development Center and Residential Courtyard

El Patio Affordable Housing & ECR Transitional Housing

Posted on 30 July 201728 June 2023 by Ashley Haugen

El Patio Affordable Housing & ECR Transitional Housing

Housing options for low-income households

We provide low-income housing through our multi-family, tax credit apartments, two transitional houses and one triplex located on Beacon Hill. Residents receive access to affordable, quality housing and are propelled toward self-sustainability.

El Patio Apartments serve residents making 35% and 50% of AMI and below, including large families, by providing much-need 3 and 4 bedroom units. The 14-unit complex is located less than a quarter mile from the Beacon Hill Link Light Rail Station. Beacon Hill is a neighborhood identified as having high displacement risk by the Seattle 2035 Comprehensive Plan.

ECR Transitional Housing is comprised of two single-family residences for low-income residents on Beacon Hill.

Program Managers

Toni Loya

BIO Text

Questions? Please contact Toni for more information!

lmartinez@elcentrodelaraza.org

(206) 957-4616

Plaza Roberto Maestas Housing

Posted on 30 July 201728 June 2023 by Ashley Haugen

Plaza Roberto Maestas Affordable Housing

Plaza Roberto Maestas – Beloved Community has 112 units of affordable housing, retail and office space, event space, seven early learning classrooms and a public plaza..

Located on Beacon Hill. Shaped by neighbors and future residents, and designed to promote community interaction and environmental values, Plaza Roberto Maestas is a model standard for community-inspired, transit-oriented development in Seattle and around the country. Developed by El Centro de la Raza, this $45M development is a mixed-use affordable housing community planned in response to growing needs – specifically, a critical need for affordable housing, economic opportunities and job creation, early childhood development and education, and community gathering spaces.

Plaza Roberto Maestas is a 112-unit community inspired, transit-oriented affordable housing development completed in the summer of 2016.

Under the Tax Credit Program, the units are rent- and income-limited. Follow the link to learn more about the program http://wshfc.org/index.htm.

We are usually 100% occupied. To be added to our interest list, please complete the form below.