On August 13th, a huge crowd gathered behind Patrick Place to congratulate the many people who helped fund, build and populate this new low-income housing, maintained by Catholic Housing Services of Western Washington and located on Aurora Avenue (on the former Thunderbird Motel site.)
The Archbishop of Seattle, the Most Reverend J. Peter Sartain, blessed and dedicated the 71-unit structure, assisted by Deacon Roy Harrington of St. Benedict’s Church. Rob Van Tassell, Vice-President of King County Housing & Community Development Program, emceed the event, and thanked Catholic Housing and Catholic Community Services for their commitment to ending poverty. Also, in his remarks Seattle Mayor Ed Murray said, “I am glad I live in an archdiocese that provides for our homeless, including providing housing.”
Representatives from the National Equity Fund and Bank of America also spoke, after receiving applause for providing the much needed funding for building a low-income housing project like this one. The crowd even more warmly welcomed Michael Elek, a resident of Patrick Place since Halloween of 2014, who praised the staff as ‘extraordinary’ and for the warm, supportive atmosphere they create. He said that they value the residents as individual people, and make it possible for them to achieve, “whatever we want to achieve. It’s a hand up, not a handout.” He drew even louder applause, and hoots, when he mentioned how pleased he is, at Patrick Place, to live, “in the coolest neighborhood!”
Van Tassell also acknowledged architect Rod Butler of N3 Architects, who used methods like rounding the front of the building to cut down on noise for residents, “which creates a wonderful home.” King County’s Josephine Wong and Veteran Representative Francisco Ivarra also spoke on a County pledge to end homelessness for veterans (Patrick Place has 6 units specifically set aside for veteran residents) by December 31st, 2015. They presented a plaque to Patrick Place to acknowledge this effort.
This plaque will join another, acknowledging the namesake of Patrick Place – Patrick Sursely, an active Catholic and champion for affordable housing in Washington State. He served on the Board of Catholic Community Services, and Catholic Housing, and worked as the longest serving CFO for the archdiocese. Surviving family members, including his wife, were in attendance at this blessing and dedication event.
Patrick Place also is dedicated to Saint Patrick, a slave who, upon gaining his freedom and his homeland, returned to the place of his enslavement – to Ireland – to convert and save the people he had come to know and love.
After a blessing given by the Archbishop, attendees and residents were treated to a buffet and tours of select units as well as a chance to enjoy the breathtaking view of Downtown Seattle from the roof.