Brighton Communities Brighton Communities under the original name of The Southeast Seattle Senior Foundation (SSSF) was created in 1995, to focus on the need for quality senior housing in the Rainier Valley. Volunteers rallied together to create SSSF, a nonprofit organization, and raise funds to purchase The Brighton Apartments. In July, 1999, after eighteen months of intensive fundraising and negotiations, raising one million dollars, the purchase of the apartment complex was finalized. Securing The Brighton brought the Foundation's dream of a senior campus to a reality. "In the late 1990's, many Southeast Seattle resident realized that elderly friends and neighbors who wished to move to senior housing found minimal options in the area and were forced to leave their community. This inspired our major effort to create a first-class facility for seniors and their families in the Rainier Valley." Jean Veldwyk, SSSF Cofounder and Baard Member 1999 The apartment complex was run down, uninviting, dangerous, located in an area of high crime and drug use, but it is in the heart of the Valley, next door to the local senior center. It was a strategic decision, but with a myriad of challenges. Staff was hired, current residents were vetted, and the building was gradually transformed. 28,000 volunteer hours enabled all common areas to be upgraded including the roof, parking lot, walkways, and wheelchair accessible pea patch. The building was cleaned, repaired, and painted. Criminal incidents decreased by a reported 30%. The Brighton was gradually being transformed from a blight in the community to a valuable residence and enhancement. 2015 Brighton Communities starts to buy up local area property with the purchase of 4627 and 4623 S Holly St. These single family homes have provided affordable housing to families and is the foundation for our future home ownership project working families who underthe crrent system could never buy a home. 2022 The community came together to healp raise 2.4 million to buy the Arches Apartments next door. Today The Brighton, with its 123 apartments, penthouse community space, five acre property, continues to be a valuable resource especially to seniors and the community at large. It offers the lowest rents in the city focused on moderate to low income, independent living, seniors and their families. It has unusually spacious units, in-house resident run activities, a richly diverse resident population, and a spirit of ownership that is uncommon in that age group. It is an oasis, in an area that is experiencing growing rent rates, gentrification, urban pressures, and devaluing senior support. The average tenure at The Brighton is eight years with many residents residing for more than 15 years. There is a long waiting list for residency. It represents the best of Rainier Valley's rich history, while maintaining its view to the future. The Arches across the street offers working families the All these properties are the foundation for buying up a neighborhood and keeping it in the hands of the Brighton Neighborhood. Brighton Communites started over 25 years ago with a simple but big vision of buying an apartment complex for seniors. Today,... |