Building for the Future at Overlake Christian Church
You’ll be known as those who can fix anything, restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate, make the community livable again.”
Isaiah 58:9-12 (The Message)
Overlake has a generational-sized opportunity to use what we have, to meet one of our region’s greatest needs! As you know, there is a major need for affordable housing in our very own city of Redmond.
Many individuals in our community’s workforce earn less than 80% of the area’s median income, including: educators, social workers, public servants, non-profit professionals, pastors, workers in the medical, transportation, construction, food and hospitality sectors, among others. Too many people are unable to live in the very community they work and serve – we can help change that.
Earlier this year in February, the OCC congregation overwhelmingly voted to approve moving forward with a developer who would develop 400+ housing units to help address this need. Later in June, the developer chose to back out of this agreement. Thankfully, the OCC congregation rallied to meet the $500K short-term financial impact this created – thank you!
Since then, the Board has continued to have encouraging discussions with interested developers and potential partners. We anticipate this September or October to share more details and take another vote. This would allow us to both meet a community need that aligns with our vision and mission, while achieving long-term financial health of our own.
We’re asking everyone who calls OCC their home to stay current on all communications (weekly email newsletter, Sunday announcements, social media) and be prepared to listen, lean in, and participate in this important season!
Further down is the FAQ section, plus anyone can connect with the OCC Board at Elders@occ.org for additional questions.
We’re in this together as we pursue God’s vision for OCC,
OCC Board of Elders
Frequently Asked Questions
What is affordable workforce housing?
“Affordable housing” covers a wide range of housing which uses “area median income” (AMI) as the key metric.
Affordable housing includes “low-income housing” - neighbors who make less than 30% of AMI, some of these developments even include onsite direct services (e.g. permanent supportive housing). Affordable housing also includes “workforce housing” - neighbors who do not qualify for low-income housing, but still earn less than 80% of AMI.
Many individuals in our community’s workforce earn less than 80% AMI, including: educators, social workers, public servants, non-profit professionals, pastors, workers in the medical, transportation, construction, food and hospitality sectors, among others. This development would be addressing this workforce housing need and potentially include first-level retail.
HERE is information on Redmond’s need for affordable housing.
HERE is information on the area median income (AMI) and respective affordable housing rental rates for King County in 2023.
What’s the community impact?
Just imagine... on the same plot of land people being able to live, work, play, eat, learn, worship, exercise, and connect with others. Plus, they’ll be at the intersection of three major regional trail systems connecting the Eastside.
Neighbors will have immediate access (walking distance) to resources available at OCC: affordable childcare and preschool, spiritual care, connection, and various services provided by a growing number of non-profits and community groups.
What about the Redmond Saturday Market?
We’ve loved hosting the Market since 2020 and will continue for as long as they’d like!
We’ve kept them updated and have offered they can move to parking lots A & B (closer to the building), currently that’s the plan.
What about the Crosses in Lot D?
We will move them closer to the building and freshen them up!
How does the loss of up to 600 parking stalls impact OCC?
First, we feel confident trading 600 parking stalls for +400 units of housing is a better use of the land. We want to be the best stewards with every acre and every square foot in our care. Second, parking ratios have changed (less stringent) since OCC was built, so reduced parking doesn’t have a drastic impact on occupancy. Less parking won’t hamstring future growth and we can continue hosting services and events where thousands are in attendance. Plus, more people will be within walking and biking distance!
What about our 244,000 sq/ft of indoor space?
We want to continue to maximize all our space! There is so much potential. So much opportunity. So many ideas. In fact, moving forward with this housing development helps spur on work happening towards a collaborative cost-sharing approach of meeting community needs with other onsite partnerships. We have more work to do, with details to follow.
HERE is a great article on our neighbors down the road at the Together Center. We’ve learned a lot from them!
Questions?
Email, elders@occ.org. We would love to connect with you!
Isaiah 58:9-12 (The Message)
Then when you pray, God will answer. You’ll call out for help and I’ll say, ‘Here I am.’
“If you get rid of unfair practices, quit blaming victims, quit gossiping about other people’s sins, If you are generous with the hungry and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out, Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness, your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight.
I will always show you where to go. I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places— firm muscles, strong bones.
You’ll be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry.
You’ll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew, rebuild the foundations from out of your past.
You’ll be known as those who can fix anything, restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate, make the community livable again.”