A young child in a bright pink dress wandered happily near the stage as community leaders, housing advocates, educators, and residents gathered to celebrate the opening of Aviva Crossing.
She wasn’t part of the program, but in many ways, she represented exactly why everyone had come together that morning.
Because every housing development begins with a building. Its impact is measured by the lives that unfold inside it.
For the families who will call Aviva Crossing home, that journey begins now.
A Place Designed for Opportunity
Located in Tacoma’s West End, Aviva Crossing brings 129 affordable apartment homes to one of the city’s most connected neighborhoods. Nearly half of the homes offer two- and three-bedroom floorplans, creating space for families to put down roots and grow.
Just steps away are Tacoma Community College, the transit center, grocery stores, childcare providers, healthcare services, shopping, and everyday essentials. Residents can access education, transportation, and community resources without needing to travel across the city.
Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello described the community as “a truly walkable place where families can thrive.”
That vision is reflected throughout the development.
Each home is supported by Housing Choice Vouchers through Tacoma Housing Authority, ensuring residents pay no more than 30 percent of their income toward rent. Families gain the stability of affordable housing while remaining connected to opportunity.
Building Stability Together
Bringing Aviva Crossing to life required years of vision, planning, investment, and partnership.
The grand opening brought together leaders from every level of government, housing, education, and community service, each playing a role in turning an ambitious idea into 129 affordable homes for Tacoma families.
Among those in attendance were Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello; Tacoma City Councilmember John Hines; State Senator Yasmin Trudeau; State Representative Jake Fey; Em Stone representing Governor Bob Ferguson’s office; Tacoma Housing Authority Project Manager Annette Massari; Tacoma Public Schools Director of Title I/LAP and Support Programs Taj Jensen; Metropolitan Development Council President and CEO John Hurley; Mercy Housing Northwest leadership; and Mercy Housing President and CEO Ismael Guerrero.
The event also recognized the many organizations whose collaboration helped make Aviva Crossing possible, including Tacoma Housing Authority, Pierce County, the City of Tacoma, Tacoma Public Schools, Metropolitan Development Council, Enterprise Community Partners, J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, Washington State Housing Finance Commission, Washington State Department of Commerce, Tacoma Community Redevelopment Authority, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and numerous design, engineering, and construction partners.
Throughout the celebration, one theme remained constant: addressing the housing affordability crisis requires communities to work together.
“Everyone, absolutely everyone, deserves a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home,” Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello told attendees.
That shared belief helped guide Aviva Crossing from a vision on paper to a community ready to welcome its first residents.
Creating the Conditions for Success
For Metropolitan Development Council President and CEO John Hurley, stable housing creates the foundation upon which families can build their futures.
As he addressed the crowd, he shared a message that resonated throughout the ceremony:
“Housing changes lives, but housing combined with supportive services changes futures.”
Through its partnership at Aviva Crossing, MDC will provide care coordination services and supportive programming for residents, including 14 dedicated units for individuals and families who may benefit from additional assistance.
Residents will be connected to employment services, education programs, behavioral health resources, financial empowerment tools, and housing stabilization support. By bringing those services directly into the community, families can spend less time navigating systems and more time focusing on their goals.
Investing in Future Generations
Mercy Housing President and CEO Ismael Guerrero brought a personal perspective to the day’s celebration.
Growing up in a low-income neighborhood in Chicago, Guerrero experienced firsthand the difference stable housing can make. A safe place to live and a quiet place to study helped shape opportunities that would ultimately lead him to a career dedicated to expanding affordable housing.
Today, that mission continues across the region.
“Mercy Housing Northwest now has 53 properties and counting, with over 6,000 residents served in the region,” Guerrero shared.
His remarks focused on creating pathways for future generations, ensuring children have the stability and support needed to pursue their dreams.
That commitment was reflected through Mercy Housing’s scholarship program, which supports educational opportunities for young residents growing up in Mercy communities.
The Beginning of a New Story
The ribbon has been cut. The doors are open.
Soon, families will unpack moving boxes, decorate bedrooms, walk children to school, catch buses to work, and build routines that turn apartments into homes.
Students will cross the street to attend classes at Tacoma Community College. Parents will gain access to resources that support their goals. Children will grow up in a community intentionally designed around stability, opportunity, and connection.
For 129 households, Aviva Crossing offers something powerful: a place to start, a place to grow, and a place to call home.
And for Tacoma, it stands as a reminder of what can happen when a community comes together to invest in its people.
For more information about Aviva Crossing, click here.
If you’d like information about MDC or for assistance, you can visit us here.