U.S. Bank is taking its motto, The Power of Possible, to the next level. Business Development Officer Ann Melone shared with us the effort U.S. Bank is making to match residents in need with quality affordable housing.
"At U.S. Bank we invest in and make construction permanent loans to support the development of affordable housing, and we’ve been doing that all across the country for the last 30 years. And in Western Washington, it’s a dire situation with regard to affordability.".
In fact, U.S. Bank has invested over 9 Billion dollars nationwide in the last 30 years an effort to make a positive impact in communities struggling with affordable housing, 165 million of those dollars right here in Washington State over the last three years.
This mission comes to fruition through investments in developments like Seattle's Plaza Roberto Maestas, right in the heart of Beacon Hill. With 112 units of family-sized housing and community spaces, it has everything families might need to be successful, including a restaurant, coffee shop, daycare center and easy access to the Light Rail and Library.
Another development currently under construction is Arbora Court, in Seattle's U-District where the University Christian Church is putting up a part of their land to develop 133 Units to help people transition out of homelessness.
"We've really seen this change people’s lives," says Melone, "People who have been in homelessness maybe their entire adult lives, children living in homelessness, and when these buildings are completed they have a safe place to call home."
How might people get involved to support this effort? First, Malone suggests talking to the local government, the local housing authority, even state and federal legislators, and letting them know that affordable housing is a priority to you in your community, "If not for themselves, for their kids, for their neighbors and for their parents."
