Imagine Housing Blog
Top Ten Moments of 2022
You’re more powerful than you think.
2022 marked Imagine Housing’s 35th Anniversary – and we enjoyed celebrating how far this grassroots organization has come since its founding as St. Andrew’s Housing Group in 1987 with the community!
What began as a volunteer initiative has become the largest nonprofit affordable housing provider in East King County. Thanks to you and others in the community, Imagine Housing now provides an affordable home to 662 households across 16 communities located in Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Issaquah, Sammamish, and Mercer Island.
This past year we also achieved key successes that will catapult Imagine Housing to the next level in the years ahead; the most integral being the entry of new Executive Director Yichuan (Yi) Zhao. You can hear more about the Board’s thoughtful recruitment process, Yi’s bold vision and what lays ahead in 2023 directly from those involved in this video.
Below is a recap of all the top 10 moments of 2022 – none of which would have been possible without community members like you; you’re more powerful than you think.
In May, we celebrated our 35th Anniversary with community members like you at Imagine Gala & Auction.
During all of 2022 (excepting the last 2 weeks of December), our Resident Services staff did 4000 distributions of goods provided by 17 different program partners.
In October, we moved offices to a new location in the BelRed area of Bellevue. Our space is close to light rail and the property we’re working to develop at 132nd and BelRed.
During all of 2022 (excepting the last 2 weeks of December), our Resident Services staff provided residents with 18,301 basic needs supplies provided and coordinated 305 community events.
In September, responding to increased construction costs, Amazon’s Housing Equity Fund contributed a $2M capstone grant to move Samma Senior into construction.
The cities of Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Issaquah, and Sammamish partnered with Imagine Housing to provide $837,000 in rental assistance to qualifying Imagine Housing residents.
In January, we welcomed a new cohort of Board members – the majority of this professional Board has personal experience with housing instability and are people of color.
In April, Capella at Esterra Park opened and Imagine Housing expanded our supportive services to 23 new low-income households living at the new community in Redmond.
In December, we had a groundbreaking ceremony for Imagine Housing’s next property, Samma Senior, in Bothell.
In November, we announced the entry of Executive Director, Yichuan (Yi) Zhao. Yi brings lived experience and a local perspective to the role.
Thank you for ALL you do to support Imagine Housing.
With warm wishes for a Happy New Year,
Imagine Housing Staff
