After three years in the making, a new 39-unit, affordable senior housing community was dedicated last week in Lake Stevens.

Senior Services of Snohomish County celebrated the opening of Hawkins House, located at 9433 North Davies Rd. with a host of local dignitaries and the new residents of this beautifully designed independent living facility.

Hawkins House is the 17th senior housing community developed by Senior Services of Snohomish County and the first in Lake Stevens.

“It takes a wealth of resources and collective commitment to ensure that seniors have safe and affordable housing,” Senior Services wrote. “We are sincerely grateful to everyone who helped make this community possible.”

Funding for this $5.5 million project was made possible by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Snohomish County HOME, Washington State Dept. of Commerce and Impact Capital.

Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon also helped in acquisitioning over $800,000 back in 2006 for this project.

“Thank you for allowing us to be a part of this,” Mark Soine, from Reardon’s office said in regards to the money which helped acquisition the land.

Representative Hans Dunshee of the 44th District, explained how this physical building is the “real” part of his job and a part which he truly enjoys.

“I work on the capital budget which works on projects like this (Hawkins House),” Dunshee said. “It’s a real part of the job and that’s the joy this job gives me. It’s a really nice project.”

Residents can live in this subsidized housing facility and pay only 30 percent of their income, after medical expenses, giving low-income seniors a nice place to live at a price they can afford.

“It’s something to be proud of,” Renee Greenman from HUD said. “We all have family members who could live in a place like this.”

Mary and Jane Hawkins and Ron Anderson, also a member of the Hawkins family, were also in attendance at the dedication. The land was originally owned by their family.

“My mother and dad lived here all their lives,” Mary said. “She (her mother) was very happy that people would be able to live in a place she loved so much.”

Other projects that Senior Services of Snohomish County are a part of the Meals on Wheels, DART bus transportation and social services for seniors.