A community in Washington state is outraged by plans to convert a century-old church into affordable housing specifically for young adults.
Amici House, led by Andrew and Julie Cain, purchased the Rock Revival Center in Tacoma's North End neighborhood for $1 million in April 2021. The church, built in 1908, is now being converted by the Cains into eleven community rooms that will accommodate 40 to 50 people aged 18 to 26.
People in the neighborhood are concerned about the impact the layout change could have on the area, which is home to dozens of new affordable housing units.
“I was looking for my dying home, and now with Amici coming in, a lot of us are saying, 'Maybe we can't stay,'” said resident Jean Elliot. “This is a family neighborhood.”
A community in Washington state is outraged by plans to convert a century-old church into affordable housing specifically for young adults
Another resident expressed concerns about how the influx of residents could affect on-street parking.
“For someone like me, who has severe mobility limitations, not being able to park within 25 or 30 feet of my home is a concern,” said Sharyn Hinchcliffe, who lives down the street says she is “frustrated.” ' by the suggestion.
She fears that children in the area could be put at risk by the types of people invited to the shelter, as it is a largely family-oriented neighborhood.
“So there are young adults ages 18 to 26 who are trying to move on with their lives,” Hinchcliffe told KIRO7.
“There has to be a 100 percent guarantee of protecting the children in this neighborhood, and there is a lot of that.”
Elliot, who moved to the area in 2015, believes the traffic created by the redevelopment will be harmful to local children.
“The coming traffic may not be good for children traveling by bike, on foot or on scooter,” she added.
Julie Cain told The News Tribune that the program is about “helping young people start their lives.”
They add that the foundation of the church building itself will be preserved during the renovation.
People in the neighborhood, like Jean Elliot, are concerned about how the influx of young people could affect the neighborhood
Amici House, led by Andrew (pictured) and Julie Cain, purchased the Rock Revival Center in Tacoma's North End neighborhood for $1 million in April 2021
She says it can be an alternative to expensive rental contracts and living in isolation.
“Your actual bedroom is smaller, but then you could have a lot more than a one or two-bedroom apartment because we have great common areas,” she added.
Andrew Cain claims the focus will be on what he calls “community living” and that drugs and alcohol will be banned on the site.
“One of the things we've heard from young adults in recent years is the need for community, the need for affordable housing and the need for our generation to reinvest in them and help them achieve their dreams. Cain said.
“Since I’m an educator by profession, it fits exactly what I’m about.”
Tyler Kolbo, who said he married his wife in church in 1998, doesn't think the policy will work.
Julie Cain says the program is about “helping young people get started in life.”
“I was looking for my dying home, and now with Amici coming in, a lot of us are saying, 'Maybe we can't stay.' said Jean Elliot. “This is a family neighborhood”
“They end up standing in our front yard with lawn chairs, smoking and drinking and leaving their Monster cans instead of messing around on their property because they can't,” he said.
Andrew Cain has also promised that tenants will be required to have extensive background checks and be encouraged to participate in a mentorship program and invest in the area.
“It’s an opportunity to give back what was invested in us,” he said. “This is simply about giving something to young adults who have dreams and visions, supporting them and pursuing them.”
He added that there will be a dormitory director who will set up the mentorship program to ensure that the rules are followed and that tenants could be expelled for not following the rules.
Julie Cain appeared to address some of the backlash when she said that if the community “embraces” young people, it will help them succeed in the future.