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Senior Citizens and the Sammamish Town Center Vision

Will our Town Center be a vibrant place for seniors--with “affordable housing,” other diverse housing options, walkability, accessible transit, and convenient shopping?

As a Sammamish senior citizen, I hope so, but questions keep popping up.

Senior citizen facilities—yes, but affordable?

Merrill Gardens and Aegis are expected in the Town Center. But how many senior citizens would call these facilities “affordable?” And not all seniors need or want these types of facilities.

“Affordable Housing”—how will seniors qualify?

“Affordable housing” is the term for subsidized housing for those with incomes at or below 80% of the area median income. Our Town Center will have some affordable housing town homes and apartments. Many seniors who sell their homes are likely to have home equity income that could disqualify them from affordable housing. Those with less income might qualify, but will they want to live in apartment buildings with younger singles and young families? Maybe they would prefer to live in a senior citizen affordable housing development, which some communities offer. Such a building is not in the Town Center plan. You can find information about qualifying for affordable housing here, https://www.archhousing.org/.

Market rate housing--will seniors want to buy?

Several residents have suggested that market prices for the town homes now being built in Town Center will be $1M to $1.5M. Will seniors thinking of downsizing want to purchase a town home at a $1M plus market rate? For many, the economics just don’t add up. They point out the high market prices, “We’d like to sell, but where would we go? Everything is too expensive.” In addition, longtime homeowners with significant equity can face steep capital gains taxes upon selling. These economics prompt many seniors to stay put and age in their family homes. As for smaller homes at market prices seniors can afford, the Town Center plan is for mixed-use development, and currently that means apartments, town homes and retail. We are not likely to see small homes, such as the cottage housing that was part of previous Town Center visions. Some seniors might downsize to rental apartments at market rates, but developers face unfavorable economic conditions for apartment construction. How many apartments and how suitable they will be for seniors in the Town Center are unknown factors.

Walkability and transit—do seniors like hills?

Walkability sounds wonderful, but is it practical for seniors? Walking up those steps to City Hall, the library or the YMCA isn’t easy. Will seniors walk up and down the hill to get to 228th to pick up public transit? Even Sound Transit tells us that it won’t drive buses up and down that hill. Metro Flex and Metro Access might provide some transit for longer trips.

Retail—will seniors spend enough to support Town Center retail?

Financial advisors point out that seniors spend proportionally most of their money on healthcare and housing. Seniors even eat out less than those younger than 65. Sammamish can barely support the retail and restaurants that we have.

Will the Town Center attract businesses appealing to seniors, and will seniors support those businesses?

As a senior citizen, I would like to embrace the bright vision for seniors in the Town Center promoted by so many Council members and candidates. But that vision collides with economic reality—and perhaps with the way people naturally make choices as they age. Let’s continue to question that vision and adjust it.

Comments

  1. AnonymousOctober 7, 2025 at 4:27 AM

    The public in sammamish needs to be warned that these new housing will also bring crime, pollution and dangerous driving to the area. Sammamish will cease to be a safe place to raise families. The housing will never be affordable because the state of Washington will continue to raise taxes and other fees. If people doubt what I am saying just look at state of California. Did I mention future homeless encampments?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JudyOctober 10, 2025 at 9:28 AM

      That's a big leap. More affordable housing=more crime? No, housing that people can afford means less desperation and therefore less crime. More affordable housing=homeless encampments? Seriously, are you hearing yourself? Affordable housing gets people out of homeless encampments. That is the point.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousOctober 7, 2025 at 4:29 AM

    Your posters need to reflect that. 4000 new housing = more traffic and more crime will you be ready??

    ReplyDelete

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