Legacy House was developed in 1996 by SCIDPDA, the Seattle Chinatown-International District Preservation and Development Authority. SCIDPDA owns and manages Legacy House.  The unique concept was to create a multicultural environment that allowed different social service agencies as well as an assisted living facility to physically be next to each other, to better assist the clients and community in the neighborhood that it serves. It was the largest public-private project in the International District with funding from city, county, state and federal governments, tax-exempt bonds, private financing, and capital campaign contributions from corporations, foundations and individuals.

The building was completed in 1998, offering 75 new apartments for low-income frail elderly with 
assisted living services established to specifically meet a diversity of language and cultural needs. In order to meet the needs of this population the facility includes multi-lingual staff, an Asian/Pacific menu and intergenerational programming designed to meet each elderly resident’s unique needs. Legacy House is currently involved in the construction of Village Square 2, which will not only houses a community center with a gymnasium and a library, but also will create 57 new low-income, 2- and 3-bedroom apartments targeted for families. 

Legacy House shares space with other agencies at the I.D.Village Square. Three community –based non-profit agencies are headquartered there serving clients representing 45 different ethnic groups, with 200 staff speaking 43 languages. The agencies are: Asian Counseling and Referral Services (a mental health and social service agency), Denise Louie Education Center (a multicultural child care and Head Start center), and International Community Health Services (a primary health care and dental clinic). 

Legacy House furthers the SCIDPDA mission of providing leadership in: promoting the preservation of the unique cultural and ethnic characteristics of the area historically known as the Chinatown International District; and fostering the continuing development of the Chinatown International District as a viable (safe, profitable, hospitable) community for its residents, businesses and visitors.

The Assisted Living studio apartments at Legacy House offer privacy and flexibility with 24-hour staffing coverage and a full line of assisted living services. Legacy House residents speak 15 unique dialects, with staff speaking 8 to 10 of those dialects. The individualized service plans include 3 meals a day featuring a nutritious Asian menu, medication assistance, limited skilled nursing services, and more. Their Independent Senior Housing studio apartments offer independent living quarters for residents and feature an emergency call system in each apartment. Residents have the option to access other Legacy House services, such as the Adult Day Health and meal as needed.

The close proximity to the child-care center allows residents to participate in intergenerational activities with the children. Legacy House has several windows that overlook the playground so residents can enjoy the sight and sounds of children playing throughout the day. There is also an Adult Day Care program with 30 to 60 people a day that offers an opportunity for socializing, companionship, recreational activities and a hot lunch.  The Adult Day Health program provides nursing oversight, and physical/occupational therapy. The Congregate Meal Program, located at another site, offers a nutritious, hot, Asian lunch.  It is served daily to about 100 seniors in the community for a two-dollar donation. Social activities, nutrition education, and health and wellness checks are also available. The Home Meal Delivery program provides hot meals to upwards of 20 homebound seniors living in King County. 

Interacting with their community neighbors is priority at Legacy House. They host barbecues during the summer and a Halloween movie night in the fall. People who live, work and play in the neighborhood are invited.  Many of the volunteers at Legacy House also attend these functions. 

Legacy House has a monthly Residents’ Council that features speakers on various topics. At their monthly Cook’s Corner the Director of Food Services cooks a new food for the residents, allowing them to decide if it should be added to their menu.

Since Legacy House is 100% Medicaid, fundraising is a necessity. They are funded through the generosity of many donors, which include individual donations, philanthropic foundations, and the corporate matching/giving programs. Grants have been received from various sources, including the Robert Wood Foundation and the Gates Foundation, staff, board and community giving programs, and a golf tournament. This year they are considering developing a signature event in conjunction with the celebration of the grand opening of Village Square II later this year.

When asked what it means to be a nonprofit organization, Administrator, Dave Foltz said, “We are able to focus more on the mission than the margin. There are similarities between for-profit and nonprofit organizations. The difference is based on how closely tied they are to the mission or the profit.” 

Legacy House is a member of WAHSA, a state association serving primarily not-for-profit organizations, dedicated to providing quality housing, health, community and related services to older persons. WAHSA is affiliated with the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA). When asked what it means to be a WAHSA member, Dave Foltz, Administrator at Legacy House stated, “I am given a voice. The body has many parts and all parts do something for the whole. WAHSA puts the parts together to make the whole, keeping everyone healthy with educational opportunities and advocacy.”