Sound Transit selects developer for Federal Way transit-oriented development sites

Sound Transit has issued a notice of intent to award to Multi-Service Center (MSC) and Shelter Resources Inc. (SRI) to develop approximately 230 units of affordable housing on surplus property adjacent to the Federal Way Downtown Station.

MSC and SRI propose building approximately 230 homes across two buildings with approximately 570 bedrooms. Over 90 percent of the housing proposed are 2-, 3-, and 4-bedroom units, responding to the need for family-sized affordable homes in Federal Way.

MSC and SRI also propose complementing their residential project with a café led by Project Feast, a local non-profit that serves refugees and immigrants through food-focused programming; a commercial kitchen in partnership with FUSION, a Federal Way-based nonprofit which provides housing and support services to families experiencing homelessness; and a child care facility. These non-residential uses are proposed for the ground floor of the development and will contribute to station area activation.

“The 230 new affordable homes being built near the Sound Transit Federal Way Downtown Station will transform this community for the better — and for the long term,” said King County Executive and Sound Transit Boardmember Girmay Zahilay. “Ninety percent of these homes are designed for families with larger layouts that meet real needs. They will be attainable for working family households, opening doors to stability and opportunity for those who need it most.

Zahilay continued, “This project stands as a powerful example of what King County, Sound Transit and the community can accomplish together — delivering the kind of family-focused, transit-oriented housing that is urgently needed in South King County, in a location that gives residents reliable access to jobs, schools, and opportunity.”

“This project advances a long-held vision for Downtown Federal Way shared by both the city of Federal Way and Sound Transit,” said King County Councilmember and Sound Transit Boardmember Pete von Reichbauer. “By creating a vibrant mixed-use, mixed-income community adjacent to transit, we’re beginning to deliver on that goal.

“Affordable housing plays a vital role in creating vibrant communities that help people thrive," said Sound Transit CEO Dow Constantine. “With this project we continue to advance our transit-oriented development program along the Federal Way Link extension and further our mission of connecting more people to more places and opportunities.”

"We are thrilled about this new project and the opportunity to partner with community-focused organizations like Sound Transit, the Federal Way Chamber of Commerce, city of Federal Way and others as we envision a vibrant Federal Way downtown,” said MSC COO Amanda Santo. “We envision a space that provides housing for families with easy access to transit, and also a community hub of resources, partnerships, and activities that support a thriving community for all."

“Shelter Resources Inc. is very excited to be working again in partnership with Multi-Service Center (MSC) on another affordable housing effort in the city of Federal Way, as we did with our Redondo Heights project,” said SRI President Len Brennan. “Our vision is to bring the same high quality living environment with affordable rents and needed services to the downtown core of the community and work hand in hand with the city of Federal Way and Sound Transit to push a successful new project forward."

The proposed development builds on the city of Federal Way’s progress toward realizing their City Center vision. The design, placement, and massing of the two proposed buildings provide pedestrian routes throughout the station area, connecting people to the Performing Arts and Events Center, Town Square Park, and the Federal Way Downtown Station. Agency staff will now begin negotiating key business terms with MSC and SRI, which are anticipated to be brought to the Sound Transit Board for approval in 2026. MSC and SRI aim to break ground on the project in 2028.

Multi-Service Center is a non-profit organization based in South King County that works to address the causes of poverty and homelessness with comprehensive services. Their work includes developing and operating affordable housing in King County and Pierce counties. Shelter Resources Inc.’s affordable housing development portfolio includes over 6,000 units across the Pacific Northwest. Multi-Service Center and Shelter Resources Inc. have over two decades of experience working together to develop affordable housing in the Puget Sound region.                                               

Sound Transit's transit-oriented development program fosters vibrant, livable communities around transit by creating opportunities for development and affordable housing near our stations. Learn more about Sound Transit’s transit-oriented development program.