Saturday, May 15 | 9 am – 11:30 am
Site Description
FEATURES: Indoor Air Quality, Advanced Envelope, Materials Conservation, Design Innovation, Energy Efficiency, Equity Endeavor
We build homes for those living on the streets, and we take a bold stand: We will never end homelessness through housing alone. A new approach is needed, one that acknowledges that relationships are the building blocks for healing our communities and that we can no longer see those who are homeless as ‘other’. This bold new model invites all of us to step forward with our own abilities to create societal change.
Our vision is to help end homelessness by building a BLOCK Home and thriving community on every residential block in Seattle. The model will be accessible nationwide and create a foundation of compassion and empathy for future generations.
The BLOCK Project has five core beliefs that have helped shape it and will continue to guide it’s path forward:
INTEGRATED | Segregation perpetuates disadvantage. By building homes for those experiencing homelessness in residential backyards, The BLOCK Project fosters cross-class integration and social inclusion. The entire community is invited to be a part of the solution, and those formerly experiencing homelessness increase their proximity to new resources – and relationships – that aid healing.
SUSTAINABLE | BLOCK Homes are designed to achieve the highest standard for sustainability in the built environment (Living Building Challenge). The buildings will “give more than they take”, creating a positive impact on human and natural systems.
SUPPORTED | Homelessness is traumatic. The BLOCK Project creates an intentional network of support for each resident, including professional social services, thoughtfully matched hosts, and engaged neighbors. The BLOCK Project is introduced to every neighbor on the block and only integrates with a collective “Yes, in our backyard.”
AFFORDABLE | The barriers to developing traditional low-income permanent housing are high. The BLOCK Project makes use of the underutilized, available property and leverages the community’s desire to get involved to dramatically reduce the cost of housing.
DIGNIFIED | Our built environment shapes who we are and how we live. BLOCK Homes are permanent, sophisticated dwelling units designed to provide stability for residents as they define and achieve success. BLOCK Residents will often live in the most advanced house on their block, inviting them to educate their neighbors about sustainable living.