On April 27, 2001, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development approves $35 million to help replace deteriorating housing units at Tacoma's Salishan Housing Development. The Federal funding allows the leveraging of private resources for a total of $200 million. The project is one element in Tacoma's renaissance of the late twentieth century.
On May 22, 2002, the Tacoma Housing Authority chose Lorig Associates to redevelop the neighborhood. The existing 817 low-income units built during World War II were to be replaced by 1,200 new, subsidized units in a mix of new owner-occupied and rental units.
Salishan opened in 1943 as housing for war workers. After the war, the project was home to returning veterans and military personnel and their families. In 1954, the Tacoma Housing Authority purchased the remaining 900 units for low-income housing. By the 1990s, the structures were too old to rehabilitate and government policies encouraged replacement with a mix of low and mid income housing, and a mix of rentals and owner-occupied homes. Plans for the new Salishan included community facilities, a dental clinic, and an education/technology center.
Sources:
The Tacoma Housing Authority, "Historic American Building Survey: Salishan Housing District, Tacoma," (HABS No. WA-219); "Federal Grand Will Assure Revitalization of Shalishan Housing," Press Release, Congressman Norm Dicks, Congressman Adam Smith, July 26, 2000, Congressman Norm Dicks Website accessed June 20, 2003 (www.house.gov/dicks/news/salishan.htm); "Salishan's Rosy Future A Reason For Celebration," The News Tribune (Tacoma), June 4, 2002, p. B-6; "Working on Development," Salishan website accessed May 1, 2006 (www.Shalishan.net).
Note: This entry was corrected on April 25, 2018.
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