Multi-Service Center has been selected to help develop about 230 units of affordable housing near the Federal Way Downtown Station, according to an announcement from the nonprofit, marking a major new housing project with regional significance for South King County.
Sound Transit recently issued a Notice of Intent to Award to Multi-Service Center and its housing development partner Shelter Resources Inc. for the project, which would be built on surplus property adjacent to the Federal Way Downtown Station.
The proposal includes about 230 affordable homes across two buildings within a four block area near the station.
MSC said more than 90 percent of the proposed homes would be two, three and four bedroom units, addressing a shortage of family sized affordable housing in Federal Way. The units would be available to households earning 60 percent of area median income or below.
“MSC is honored to be chosen for this project as we continue to advance our mission in building affordable housing in the South King County community,” said Kirsten York, chief executive officer of Multi-Service Center. “Everyone deserves a home and a sense of belonging. And with our partnerships, we will continue to lift up community to advance equity, justice and joy.”
In addition to housing, the ground floor of the development is planned to include several community focused amenities intended to support activity around the station and the city center area. Proposed features include a cafe led by Project Feast, a nonprofit that supports refugees and immigrants through food focused programming, a commercial kitchen in partnership with FUSION, a Federal Way based nonprofit serving families experiencing homelessness, and a childcare facility.
“We are thrilled about this new project and the opportunity to partner with community focused organizations like Sound Transit, the Federal Way Chamber of Commerce, the City of Federal Way and others as we envision a vibrant Federal Way downtown,” said Amanda Santo, chief operating officer of Multi-Service Center. “This will be a space that provides housing for families with easy access to transit, and also a community hub of resources, partnerships and activities that supports a thriving community for all.”
The design calls for multiple pedestrian connections through the station area linking the development with the Performing Arts and Events Center, Town Square Park and the Federal Way Downtown Station.
Shelter Resources Inc., which is partnering with MSC on the project, said the location offers significant advantages because of its proximity to transit and the downtown core.
“The development site has optimum location advantages lying adjacent to the recently opened Sound Transit Link light rail station in the central business district of Federal Way,” said Len Brannen, president emeritus of Shelter Resources Inc. Brannen cited the organizations’ recently completed Redondo Heights project north of downtown Federal Way, which provides 334 affordable family rental units along with a food bank and tenant support services.
According to MSC, the next step is negotiating key business terms with Sound Transit. Those terms are expected to go before the Sound Transit Board for approval in 2026. Groundbreaking and the start of construction are currently planned for 2028.
