Challenge

The site at 1331 W. National Avenue was a single-story structure in the heart of Walker’s Point, a neighborhood undergoing rapid transformation. The challenge was to deliver 89 residential units, nearly 82% of which needed to be affordable, on a tight infill site while balancing density, budget constraints, and neighborhood revitalization goals. Financing had to be assembled from layered sources, including 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) equity, Federal Home Loan Bank Affordable Housing Program (AHP) funds, City HOME funds, WEDC Brownfield Grant, and a traditional first mortgage. Ensuring that construction sequencing aligned with funding closings, while meeting design, zoning, and community expectation parameters, added complexity to the project execution.

Solution

Catalyst Construction stepped in as construction manager to deliver both precision and agility. We developed a phased construction plan that aligned sequential site preparation, foundation work, and vertical build–up to match funding milestones and design approvals. Our non-self-perform model enabled competitive bidding from subcontractors skilled in dense, urban multi-unit construction. Coordination with Arc-Int Architecture ensured that unit layouts, shared amenity spaces, and building systems aligned with both market-rate and affordable components. Through strategic staging and consistent communication with lenders, developers (Lutheran Social Services and Rule Enterprises), the City, and funding agencies, Catalyst kept the schedule tight, and the budget optimized, resulting in on-time delivery in September 2021.

Impact

• Delivered 89 apartments, including 18 units at ≤30% AMI, 36 at ≤50% AMI, 20 at ≤60% AMI, and 15 market-rate units, creating a mixed-income community that supports inclusion and resilience.
• Launched a $17.5 million development that deployed a sophisticated blend of tax credit equity, grants, and HOME funding to make deep affordability possible.
• Revitalized a vacant single-story site into a four-story, high-impact housing complex that supports broader neighborhood transformation in Walker’s Point.
• Enhanced resident experience by including quality amenities, fitness center, pet spa, community room, in-unit laundry, free internet, integrated into an efficient, well-built structure.
• Strengthened Walker’s Point’s affordability and equity strategy by delivering a project that balances market-rate presence with deeply subsidized housing, aligning with community stewardship and Catalyst’s purpose-driven leadership.