Amazon and Seattle-based C&A Development have started construction on The Pointe at Thomas Apartments, a new affordable housing project in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. The partners announced the groundbreaking for the multifamily community, which is planned to deliver income-restricted housing in one of the city’s most in-demand urban districts.
The Pointe at Thomas Apartments is located at 228 11th Ave East in Capitol Hill. The project is designed to offer 67 affordable homes for qualifying households, expanding the supply of lower-cost rental options in a neighborhood better known for its high housing costs and limited affordability. Specific income thresholds, delivery timing, and unit mix were not disclosed.
Financing for the development includes a commitment from the Amazon Housing Equity Fund, which is providing $6.7 million in low-cost capital to support the project. The fund is focused on preserving and creating affordable housing options in markets where the company has a significant presence, with an emphasis on improving housing stability for moderate- and lower-income residents.
Seattle Credit Union is serving as the senior lender for The Pointe at Thomas Apartments and is providing $11.4 million in construction capital. The article notes that the credit union’s role in the capital stack has been critical to advancing the project, underscoring the importance of mission-aligned lenders in getting affordable developments financed and underway.
Before construction began, the project received support from a Washington State Department of Commerce grant. The grant reimbursed eligible pre-development costs incurred during planning and design, helping to offset early-stage expenditures and strengthen the project’s financial viability. Those funds supported the effort to move the development from concept to construction.
The Pointe at Thomas Apartments is part of a broader affordable housing initiative backed by Amazon’s housing-focused investment platform. According to the announcement, the Amazon Housing Equity Fund has committed more than $900 million to help create and preserve more than 10,000 affordable homes across the Puget Sound region. These commitments span multiple projects and are aimed at addressing regional housing affordability challenges.
By combining low-cost capital from a private housing fund, construction financing from a local credit union, and early-stage support from a state grant program, The Pointe at Thomas Apartments illustrates a multi-source financing approach commonly required to deliver new affordable housing. While additional development details were not disclosed, the project signals continued public and private sector coordination to expand housing options in Seattle’s core neighborhoods.
