King County recently joined several partners, including Mercy Housing Northwest and the Arc of King County, to celebrate the opening of Connection Angle Lake, a new transit-oriented community with 130 new affordable and energy-efficient homes.
This will be the state’s first affordable housing development designed for the intellectual and developmental disability community, with 26 homes reserved for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and their caregivers.
“Affordable housing that is intentionally designed with supports makes it possible for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live with dignity, independence, and connection,” said Kelly Rider, Director of King County’s Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS). “At a time when our federal administration is sending harmful messages that question the value and abilities of people with disabilities, projects like this stand as powerful proof of what is possible. They show us that when we build communities that are affordable, accessible, and inclusive, people with disabilities can and do thrive, living meaningful and whole lives as our neighbors.”
King County first invested in Connection Angle Lake in 2022 and again in 2023 with Transit Oriented Development (TOD) funds totaling $1.5 million. This funding came at a critical time, ensuring this project could obtain a lower interest rate. Other funders include the Washington State Department of Commerce and Amazon’s Housing Fund. Sound Transit also committed the sale of excess land initially acquired for light rail expansion to nonprofit developer Mercy Housing Northwest at a discounted rate to create permanent TOD housing.
Located in SeaTac, one of the most diverse transit areas in our region, and adjacent to the Angle Lake light rail station, Connection Angle Lake residents have direct access to schools, employment, rapid transit connections, and services provided by The Arc Legacy Center, the new headquarters for The Arc’s expanding operations on the ground floor of the building. Sprawling community gathering spaces and a playground is also accessible to residents and their families. In neighborhoods where people of color have historically lived and built community, TOD projects like Connection Angle Lake provide a pathway to creating more equitable growth.
Permanent affordable housing like Connection Angle Lake reduces family stress, increases education outcomes for kids, and strengthens communities. This is especially important as escalating rental markets continue to place more and more families at risk of homelessness and eviction.
Due to increased displacement of local low-income families in SeaTac and other South King County rental markets, Mercy Housing Northwest and the City of SeaTac worked closely to craft a development agreement, allowing for an additional 35 affordable homes to be constructed onsite. This agreement increased Connection Angle Lake’s apartment total to 130 affordable homes, consisting of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments.
Designed with equity at the forefront, Connection Angle Lake is expected to deliver lasting benefits by reducing transportation costs, improving air quality, and ensuring that the people who have long invested in South King County neighborhoods are able to stay and prosper. TOD projects like this one are more than just infrastructure investments—they become commitments to social justice, economic inclusion, and community resilience.
“Mercy Housing Northwest prides itself on building strong partnerships with each new affordable housing community we develop,” said Mercy Housing Northwest President Joe Thompson. “We are humbled by the wonderful and countless neighbors, community members, organizations, and representatives from all levels of government who rallied around this transit-oriented community. Building affordable housing takes a community, and Connection Angle Lake has been greeted with the absolute best our community has to offer.”
