Trail Blazers kick off Fall training camp
Portland Trail Blazers owner and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen on Wednesday pledged $30 million through his family's foundation to fund a housing complex for homeless families in Seattle.
(Oregonian file photo by Randy L. Rasmussen, Randy L. Rasmussen)
Portland Trail Blazers owner and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen is putting up the majority of up-front costs for a new housing and resource center for Seattle's homeless, the city announced Wednesday.
The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation is providing $30 million for the project with the City of Seattle kicking in the remaining $5 million.
The center is described as a "permanent supportive housing and onsite services community that will serve as a resource hub for Seattle-area families."
The Allen Family Foundation's contribution will fund purchase of the property, development and construction, according to a joint letter. The housing complex will be owned and operated by Mercy Housing Northwest.
The Seattle Times reports that the deal between the city and the Allen Family Foundation has been gestating for several months. A site for the project has not been finalized.
According to the City of Seattle's news release, there are 1,684 families waiting for housing assistance in King County and 3,498 homeless students enrolled in Seattle Public Schools.
The number of families served by the newly announced facility was not disclosed, but the city has said more details will be available over the next few months.
Allen was born in Seattle, where he also attended Lakeside School before leaving for Washington State University. He would go on to co-found Microsoft with Bill Gates.
--Eder Campuzano | 503.221.4344
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ecampuzano@oregonian.com