The Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) held a ceremonial groundbreaking for Glassyard Commons on Sept. 10, a new 3.9-acre safe lot and tiny house village in West Seattle designed to move individuals experiencing homelessness off the streets and into permanent housing.
Located on Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) property at 7200 2nd Ave. SW, the site will feature 72 RV spaces and 20 tiny houses, with the capacity to serve approximately 140 people when it opens in mid-November.
Although ceremonial shovels marked the milestone, construction on the site had already been underway for six weeks prior to the event, giving attendees an early look at utility markers, gravel pads, and initial work on a concrete pad for a shared kitchen.
Beyond parking, the community will provide comprehensive support services, including case management, behavioral health counseling, showers, laundry facilities, employment assistance, and a community kitchen. The Seattle Human Services Department is supporting the initiative with $3.3 million in annual funding.
"This is not just a parking place," emphasized LIHI Executive Director Sharon Lee, noting that the primary objective is long-term stability rather than indefinite vehicle storage. A central component of the Glassyard Commons model involves removing dilapidated vehicles from city streets: surrendered RVs containing hazardous mold or dangerous electrical systems will be destroyed to prevent them from returning to circulation or being leased out by predatory landlords.
The initiative builds directly upon lessons learned from Salmon Bay Village, a former Interbay program where 67 RVs were removed and 89 people received shelter, housing, or supportive services. Outreach workers are actively connecting with vehicle residents across the city to prepare them for the move. “We’re going to have a team of people around you supporting you in this,” said Jen Manlief, Vehicle Resident Outreach Program Manager. “That’s why this model works. It’s not just a place to park”.
Local officials commended the project for addressing both human needs and neighborhood concerns. City Councilmember Bob Kettle praised the program for balancing compassion with public safety, noting that large, unmanaged RV clusters often turn into hubs for drug activity and stolen goods. WSDOT Northwest Region Administrator Brian Nielson expressed pride in utilizing state land for community benefit, while Seattle Human Services Department Director Tanya Kim highlighted Glassyard Commons as part of the city's broader investment in expanding shelter options.
