Matt Talbot Center

"Traugott Terrace Construction"

May 2002 will mark the "groundbreaking" for Traugott Terrace, 50 units of clean and sober housing, named for Matt Talbot Center's co-founder Thomas Zurcher. Tom was a naturalized citizen who immigrated to America from Switzerland before the Korean War and served his newly adopted country in the U.S. Army during that conflict. Traugott was Tom's name in his native language.

The one remaining piece of the original plans for Matt Talbot Center is housing. Clean and sober housing is the key to long-term recovery from drug and alcohol abuse and addiction. We will be constructing 38 permanent housing units and 12 transitional units above the building we currently own and occupy. The 38 permanent housing units will consist of studios, 1-room bedrooms and loft apartments. They will be staffed and include continued case management with Phase III type support. The 12 transitional housing units will be used for residential support while people are in treatment in our daily program downstairs.

Our developer is Beacon Development, headed by Paul Purcell. They are one of the most respected, skilled and experienced non-profit developers in the area. They have put together total financing for our project with a combination of State Housing Trust Funds, Blocks Grant Funds, Federal Tax Credit dollars, and management funds through Section 8 Subsidies on the individual units. The latter will provide management funds as well as some program support funds, i.e., counselors, etc. Tenants would pay on a "sliding scale" according to their income. Thus we will be able to house individuals beginning work, attending school, as well as those unable to work due to age or disability.

Ultimately, every dollar invested in our program and in the lives of those we serve will have the "added value" of $6.2 million of housing added to the equation in favor of their recovery, restoration to their families and a benefit rather than a burden on our jails, our tax roles and our community. The "added value" of 50 units of housing is insurance, if you will, that every grant entrusted to Matt Talbot Center's care has the greatest opportunity to produce the maximum on the investment, by making women, men and families fruitful and productive in society again. This was the dream Traugott Tom Zurcher and Gregg Alex shared 17 years ago. It is finally becoming a reality as construction of this building begins.


THE MATT TALBOT CENTER	"A MINISTRY OF HEALING, HOPE, AND RESTORATION"	2313 Third Ave. Seattle, WA. 98121 (206)-256-9865

This page is maintained by Erika Artukovic
Last updated 5/21/04