After a decade of planning, problem-solving and partnership, the King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), alongside the City of Issaquah and the King County Housing Authority (KCHA) broke ground on Trailhead Apartments, a transit-oriented development that will bring 154 affordable rental homes to Issaquah when it opens in 2028.

DCHS helped move the project from vision to construction through its Housing Finance Program, investing $11 million in Transit-Oriented Development funding. DCHS awarded $10 million in 2016, when the City of Issaquah first sought proposals for affordable housing on the site, and provided an additional $1 million in 2025.

“Trailhead Apartments demonstrates what is possible when public agencies remain committed to a shared vision, even when the path forward is challenging,” said Jelani Jackson, interim director of DCHS’ Housing and Community Development Division. “By investing in affordable housing and building strong local partnerships, we can connect more people with stable homes, transit and opportunity.”

A shared vision tested by challenges

The City’s vision was to create affordable housing in Issaquah’s central core, close to transit, jobs and community resources. KCHA responded with a plan for what would become Trailhead Apartments.

Bringing that plan to construction required partners to resolve complex land-acquisition and site issues, including relocating a Lumen service center and a cell tower. They also had to assemble a multifaceted financing package and navigate permitting requirements that threatened to increase costs and reduce the number of affordable homes.

Some provisions in Issaquah’s land-use code would have added more than $1 million to the project and required KCHA to remove homes from the design, including larger two- and three-bedroom units. After KCHA raised those concerns, City leaders worked with partners to adjust project requirements while maintaining the development’s quality.

DCHS’ sustained investment and partnership with the City, KCHA and other regional organizations helped provide the stability needed to keep the project moving.

“Affordable communities like Trailhead are the result of collaborative investment, patience and a commitment to making Issaquah an inclusive place to live,” said Lindsay Masters, executive director of A Regional Coalition for Housing (ARCH), a partnership of King County and East King County cities that works to preserve and expand housing for low and moderate income households through coordinated investment, housing policy and program support. “ARCH applauds all the partners who never gave up on the vision of affordable housing in a community of opportunity like Issaquah.”

Lessons for future housing

Trailhead showed how development requirements can unintentionally increase costs, delay construction or reduce the number of affordable homes a project can provide. It also demonstrated the importance of housing providers and public agencies identifying barriers together and remaining flexible enough to address them.

The experience helped prompt Issaquah to examine its broader development regulations. The City has since begun advancing reforms intended to remove unnecessary barriers and make it easier to build housing in the future.

When Trailhead opens in 2028, it will provide homes for residents earning between 40% and 60% of area median income. Several homes will be operated by Life Enrichment Options, an Issaquah nonprofit serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Located next to the Issaquah Transit Center and across from Tibbetts Valley Park, the development will connect residents with transportation, jobs, parks and services.

Trailhead represents more than 154 affordable homes. It demonstrates what sustained County investment, responsive local leadership and long-term partnership can accomplish—and offers lessons for advancing future housing projects throughout King County.