Concerns about converting an old church into affordable housing
The controversial conversion of a historic church into social housing goes into appeal.
TACOMA, Washington. – A months-long dispute in north Tacoma over the controversial conversion of a historic church into social housing is now heading to the appeals process.
There are seven days left to appeal a decision by city Planning Director Peter Huffman that would allow the project to proceed but reduce the number of residents allowed from 51 to 29.
Opponents call the project a “for-profit Kumbaya project” and argue that it is being portrayed as a charitable initiative when in reality it is a business venture.
The church’s remodeling is being driven by Warner Street Amici House LLC, the same company involved in a similar, controversial project in Port Orchard. FOX 13 has reached out to Amici House several times for a response to the criticism and has not yet received a response.
Port Orchard residents raise concerns
Renovations are already underway on a century-old church in Port Orchard at the corner of Dekalb Street and Harrison Avenue. The company’s website says construction is expected to be completed next month. FOX 13 Seattle spoke with several residents across the street and in the neighborhood who felt deceived by the developers.
“My biggest problem, first of all, is that we feel like we’ve been duped,” said Port Orchard resident Carole Nelson.
Rawlins Maye, another resident, agreed, saying, “They’ve sold us all kinds of ideas about what it’s supposed to be,” but believes the project is not what it’s advertised to be. “It’s the classic deception.”
Dana Harmon, also of Port Orchard, expressed her frustration, saying, “It was not sold to the community as a for-profit venture.”
Amici House’s website promises to uphold Christian values
According to Amici House’s website, the Port Orchard project aims to provide affordable community housing for young adults completing college, completing internships or apprenticeships, or entering the workforce, emphasizing a commitment to “God, friends, and community.”
However, local residents are skeptical. Dana Harmon further criticized the project, saying it was just an apartment complex disguised as a charity initiative.
“I think this is another manipulation to drive out the older generation,” she said, adding that the neighborhood cannot handle the influx of people. “You put 50 people in one building… the parking is going to be outrageous.”
Harmon’s neighbor Kymberly Phillips expressed a mixture of hope and distrust.
“I want to be pleasantly surprised that it will turn out exactly as they imagine, but I wonder when the big bang will finally come?”
Tacoma faces a similar debate
The controversy is not limited to Port Orchard. In Tacoma, residents are engaged in a similar battle over another remodel of the Amici House church. The city has set a cap of 29 residents for the project, but concerns about proposed living conditions remain.
“I understand affordable housing and projects like this,” said Tacoma resident Adrienne Hibbert. “The problem is the volume they’re proposing.”
Michael Martin, another Tacoma resident, expressed deep concern about the project: “To me, it was like breeding people in this building where the only thing that matters is profit.”
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