A different—and better—approach to affordable housing

CIRC, a Transforming Age affiliate, is transforming the way people think about affordable housing by building and supporting vibrant communities where seniors and families thrive.

CIRC helps seniors and families build the life they want in a community where they can put down roots, create connections and make their own decisions about things that matter to them.

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A network of local support and services

CIRC pioneered the “Neighborhood Network” approach that creates a comprehensive resident support network within 1-2 miles of each community. By partnering with local social/ senior service providers, grocery and food access organizations, cultural and community groups the network provides access to essential services, resources and programs that can be tailored to the specific needs of communities and residents.

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People, services and resources that make life better

CIRC Resident Services Coordinators (RSC) work closely with residents to help them age in place. RSCs strive to make resident life safer, more connected and more rewarding.

RSCs help with many challenges of daily living including:
• Welcoming and orienting new residents.
• Creating safe and stable home environments.
• Connecting residents to community health and human services.
• Facilitating conflict resolution
• Assisting with paperwork for residential and government-supported services.
• Providing information and referrals for financial assistance, healthcare, nutrition, transportation, benefits, and more

Resident programs for health, wellness and connection

From fitness classes to technology support, community food pantries to access to student nurses, our Resident Programs team develops, manages and supports programs and partnerships vital to resident life. Focus and resource allocation are determined by 12 wellness categories, which are monitored at each community. Most programs are supported through community partnerships and are provided to residents at no cost.

Communities that feel like home

CIRC owns and operates 15 communities throughout Puget Sound. We also provide support and services to an additional 27 communities that are owned by partnering organizations. In all, we make a difference in the lives of more than 7,400 seniors and families and help them live with autonomy, dignity and possibility.

Focusing and growing in affordable housing

CIRC plays an important role in Transforming Age’s push to become one of the nation’s leading affordable housing providers and serve the vast number of seniors needing sustainable housing.

We think there’s an opportunity to leverage our combined resources and take models that we’ve developed into the areas of greatest need. We’re confident we can deliver innovation to a market and industry that needs some new ideas.

CIRC is vital to the Transforming Age mission. Together we can provide desperately needed affordable housing for seniors and families in the Puget Sound area.
Torsten Hirche
President & CEO
Transforming Age

Who We Serve

< 30% AMI

< 35% AMI

< 40% AMI

< 50% AMI

< 60% AMI

Success Stories

Family Thrives With Access To Abundant Neighborhood Amenities

Working in Bellevue amid the bustle of the city can be rewarding and fun; but if you are a single-income household with limited transportation, finding the right school for your kids and getting to work can also be a major challenge. For the average worker, rent is so out of reach that living close to work seems impossible; sending your child to a quality public school unrealistic; and access to libraries, parks and services unattainable.

Resolving these issues was at the top of Ted Spencer?s list when he and his wife Esther moved to Bellevue more than seven years ago. Ted had acquired a job with the State of Washington. They heard the Bellevue School District was one of the best in the state for children with special needs like their son Daniel. Finding a nice place, one that was safe, close to work and in the school district was critical to their family?s success and to their ability to provide Daniel with the best available resources.

They found an answer to their needs in a DASH property. After doing their research, they applied for housing at Glendale Apartments, one of nine DASH properties designed for adults and families. Living at Glendale, Daniel has access to the support he needs at school. Ted can walk the few blocks to work. The entire family enjoys the local library and especially Wilburton and Crossroads Parks.

The Spencer?s story is unfortunately common. There are thousands of working moms and dads – single and married – struggling to balance housing, food, education and resource needs. While DASH has helped many, the need is escalating. DASH has aggressive growth plans to increase the stock of affordable housing on the Eastside so more families like Ted, Esther and Daniel can thrive, not just survive.

“If we are awake we try to be out, it?s healthier for all of us and especially helped Daniel to grow.”

– Ted Spencer, DASH Resident
Golden Years Shine Bright Nearer Family And Friends

It would be hard to find a resident at Evergreen Court more active than Rosa Luedtke. At 90 years young, Rosa?s energy and zest for life can be sensed immediately by simply gazing around her comfortable apartment. Filled with teddy bears and family treasures, Rosa rocks in her chair she brought from her Seattle home.

Rosa and her husband Martin moved to Seattle in 1952 from Minnesota so he could work at Boeing. They raised four children together and lived happily in their home for thirty years. With the children grown, they downsized to Auburn, again establishing roots. As they approached their 80s it became clear that even this home was too difficult to manage. Their daughter Alice, who lives in Bellevue, agreed to research places for her parents to live based on their fixed income.

After visiting a few, Rosa knew when she pulled into the parking lot at Evergreen Court they had found the one. The tree lined property felt instantly familiar. ?I?m home,? she told her daughter. In the ten years that she?s lived here, Rosa embodies the nature of DASH?s Senior Communities. Active on the Council, Rosa helped bring composting to the complex. She and her friends started a resident store with $300 in seed money they earned by hosting a garage sale.

Rosa has contributed several recipes to the kitchen and is particularly proud of her recipes for ?Magic Beef Stew? and Custard Bread Pudding. During her spare time she makes quilts to donate to the Issaquah Baby Corner. When Martin passed eight years ago, living in a supportive community helped her through the experience. Speaking of the community, she says, her old friend Wally Slusher established their motto: At Evergreen Court, We Are Family.

“On seeing Evergreen Court?s tree lined property, I said to my daughter, I?m home.”

– Rosa Luedtke, DASH Resident

A different—and better—approach to affordable housing

A network of local support and services

People, services and resources that make life better

Resident programs for health, wellness and connection

Communities that feel like home

Focusing and growing in affordable housing

Find an affordable community near you!

Test Community

Evergreen Court

Waterford

Tradition

The Timbers

Heathers Manor

Heathers Estates

The Gardens at Juanita Bay