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Beacon Pacific Village: A Landmark in Sustainable and Affordable Housing

Seattle City Light is excited to share the completion of Beacon Pacific Village, a new affordable housing development, in partnership with the Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority (SCIDpda), the Housing Development Consortium, and others. At a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony, we joined community members, partners, and stakeholders to celebrate the efforts of everyone who made this new model of sustainable living a reality.

Beacon Pacific Village, located on the former parking lot north of the historic Pacific Tower, is the newest contribution to Seattle’s affordable housing landscape, offering a blend of residential and mixed-use facilities. This unique project offers 160 affordable housing units, integrated elderly care, and a childcare facility. All units are expected to fill by the end of January 2025.

Like Hobson Place and the Sawara Building, Beacon Pacific Village embodies the shared vision of affordability, sustainability, and community service. SCIDpda, the owner and developer of Beacon Pacific Village, has demonstrated a deep commitment to community development with this project. They continue to serve diverse communities by delivering culturally competent services, while fostering affordable and sustainable living.

In 2019, City Light partnered with the Housing Development Consortium on an Affordable Housing Exemplary Buildings Program to develop four affordable housing demonstration projects. The aim was to test various approaches to creating energy-efficient, healthy, and durable housing to show the market that ultra-efficient affordable housing is achievable, affordable, and scalable.

Joe Fernandi, our Director of Customer Energy Solutions at City Light, explained our role in the project, saying, “Seattle City light paid $25,000 for the initial assessment, $77,000 for the solar renewable energy credits (RECs), $560,000 for the design and construction, and will pay up to an additional $80,000 if the building meets its performance targets, which is less than or equal to 20 energy use intensity (EUI).”

In total, City Light plans to provide incentives amounting to approximately $717,000 if the building meets its goals. This project shows our dedication to encouraging the development of energy-efficient housing in the city. By supporting projects like Beacon Pacific Village, we show that sustainable, affordable housing is possible and good for residents and the environment.

The success of the Beacon Pacific Village is a testament to what can be achieved through dedicated partnerships with a shared vision for sustainability and communal growth. Here at City Light, our excitement for future collaborations on similar projects continues to grow. Just like Hobson Place and the Sawara Building, Beacon Pacific Village sets a gold standard for sustainable, affordable housing. We look forward to more partnerships that champion these values to create sustainable and purposeful housing solutions for Seattle.