Welcome to 4865 MLK!
Located in Columbia City, this new Habitat community at 4865 MLK Jr. Way S. is expanding access to affordable homeownership in partnership with African Community Housing & Development (ACHD), bringing three new 4-bedroom townhomes to the neighborhood.
These homes are expected to be completed in 2027.
“It’s time to own, live, and give generously.” The Robinson Family
About 4865 MLK
Homes at a Glance
4865 MLK offers permanently affordable townhomes designed for household sizes of 4-8 ready to put down roots in Columbia City.
Each home features:
- 4 bedrooms
- 2.5 bathrooms
- 1,660 sq. ft.
Each home includes 3-story interiors with brand new appliances including full kitchen & washer/dryer, HVAC systems for heating/cooling, and walk-in closets.
Townhomes also include one reserved parking spot or mixed used space.
Shared Spaces & Getting Around
Each townhome features a fenced front entrance set back from the street, additional rear entrances, and a pedestrian path along the back of homes.
Located one block from the light rail station, with access to multiple bus routes and within walking distance of Columbia City restaurants and local businesses, homeowners will enjoy easy access to transit, everyday essentials, and the vibrant energy of the neighborhood.
About Columbia City
***For your own safety, please do not step foot on the construction site. This is an active construction site.***
Columbia City offers the best of neighborhood living and city access. From public parks and well-regarded schools to convenient transit options, the area is designed for everyday ease.
Columbia City’s walkable downtown features family-owned restaurants, local coffee shops, and small businesses that give the neighborhood its character. As one of Seattle’s most diverse neighborhoods, Columbia City is a place where culture, food, and traditions are shared and celebrated.
Financial Information
These 4-bedroom homes are priced as low as low $390,000; the estimated all inclusive monthly payments for these homes will be between $2,570 – $4,600. Habitat requires our homebuyers to finance the purchase of their home with a mortgage. These payment ranges include mortgage payments, estimated property taxes, estimated homeowner’s insurance, and estimated HOA dues. Please see HOA section below for more details.
Your specific monthly payment will be based on your income and household size. Homebuyers must show that they can afford this payment without being cost-burdened.
Applicants must show that they have at least $7,000 for the minimum required cash contribution at the time of applying. Your exact cash contribution may be higher depending on your specific financial situation. Additionally, if you have over $20,000 in liquid assets*, you must contribute all but $20,000 of your liquid assets towards your cash contribution. For example, if you have $30,000 in savings, you would need to contribute $10,000, keeping $20,000 in your savings.
*”Liquid assets” means money that you have immediate access to in accounts such as checking & savings accounts, or money market accounts that you can withdraw from without penalty. This does not include money in stocks, bonds, IRAs, 401ks, life insurance, annuities, or physical assets.
| Household Size | Maximum Income Limit (80% AMI) |
|---|---|
| 4 | $116,650 |
| 5 | $126,000 |
| 6 | $135,350 |
| 7 | $144,650 |
| 8 | $154,000 |
Homeowners Association
These homes will be part of a Homeowners Association (HOA). A Homeowners Association is a non-profit corporation that is democratically run by owners within the community. Owners pool resources (through monthly dues) and agree on what to use the money for, whether it be upkeep of common spaces, exterior maintenance of homes, or other priorities.
To learn more, please visit our HOA information page.
The Bigger Picture
Why Projects like 4865 MLK Matter
4865 MLK totals 4,050 square feet, with a development budget of $2.19 million.
Across Washington state, housing costs continue to outpace incomes. Today, more than half of renter households and nearly one in four homeowner households are considered cost burdened, meaning they spend an unsustainable portion of their income on housing.
In King County, the challenge is especially acute. As of May 2025, the median price of a single-family home reached $1.03 million. With a typical 20% down payment, a household would need an annual income of roughly $250,000 to afford homeownership — putting it out of reach for many working families.
As housing costs rise, many neighbors face displacement, pushing them farther from jobs, schools, and the communities they call home. At the same time, construction costs continue to climb, and the region faces a severe shortage of affordable housing options.
The Housing Continuum
The housing continuum illustrates how different housing options are supported over time. Emergency shelter, transitional housing, and rental housing typically rely on ongoing subsidies to remain affordable year after year. Habitat for Humanity’s work sits at a different point on the continuum: affordable homeownership.
Through a one-time subsidy, Habitat homes are made accessible upfront and then remain permanently affordable, allowing homeowners to build stability and equity without requiring continued public subsidy. This model creates long-term affordability while opening the door for future households to do the same.
How We Build
Habitat for Humanity Seattle–King & Kittitas Counties uses a flexible, mission-driven approach to meet the growing need for affordable housing. Depending on project size and complexity, homes are built through a combination of volunteer-powered construction, subcontracted builds, and partnerships with general contractors.
4865 MLK is being delivered through a general contractor–led build. This approach allows Habitat to take on a larger, more complex multi-family project while maintaining high standards for quality, safety, and long-term durability. By working with an experienced general contractor, we’re able to manage risk, control timelines, and expand the scale of affordable homeownership in a high-cost urban environment.
Our Partnership with ACHD
In August 2023, Habitat SKKC began a joint venture and partnership with ACHD, a non-profit launched in 2018 that empowers Seattle’s African Diaspora community by building culturally rooted health and housing stability in the region. 4865 MLK is one of multiple projects in ACHD’s and Habitat SKKC’s historic partnership to center Black homeownership and prosperity across multiple projects throughout Seattle and South King County.
“We are thrilled that African Community Housing and Development and Habitat for Humanity’s trailblazing partnership will provide long awaited access to affordable homeownership opportunities for BIPOC families in the Rainier Valley. Our projects will prevent further displacement and will build generational stability so families can thrive,” said ACHD Vice President and Co-Founder Bilan Aden.
Read more about our partnership with ACHD—and the groundbreaking that kicked it all off—here.
Stay In Touch
This community represents what’s possible when affordability, access, and long-term stability are built into the foundation of a community. Whether you’re exploring homeownership, learning more about the project, or seeking additional details, we’re here to help. For questions about this community, the application process, or partnership opportunities, please contact us at apply@habitatskc.org — our team is happy to connect and provide more information.