A new journey begins here: housing, healing, and community.

Nuwe Reis Village ("new journey") is a five-story, mixed-use multifamily development comprising 84 affordable housing units above a community-centered ground floor. Located in Kitsap County, the project is led by the emerging nonprofit The Foundation for Homeless and Poverty Management (FHPM). It responds directly to a critical housing gap, where affordable units have accounted for less than one percent of new residential development over the past decade.

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Designed to support formerly homeless individuals and families, Nuwe Reis pairs long-term housing stability with on-site services and community programming. The residential mix—including studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units—supports intergenerational living and reflects the diverse needs of residents rebuilding stability.

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At ground level, the building functions as a community anchor, featuring an open reception space with a pocket library, café, and flexible gathering spaces that extend into a wellness garden. These spaces are designed to host a range of programming, including job training, student tutoring, health education, and culinary instruction—from healthy home cooking to commercial kitchen and barista training. Partnerships with organizations such as the Kitsap Regional Library will further activate the space through events like story time and educational programming, reinforcing the project’s role as both a residence and a community resource.

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The building’s boomerang form is shaped by a site strategy to maximize the number of residential units while making space for a large wellness garden. Situated on an undeveloped parcel adjacent to a state route, the structure curves inward to create a concave orientation that buffers noise while maximizing solar exposure. The garden offers residents a sense of refuge, daylight, and connection to nature.

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The project prioritizes healthy, Red-List Free materials, often overlooked in affordable housing. The facade is clad in thermally modified wood, introducing warmth, texture, and longevity while reinforcing a biophilic connection. Subtle facade modulations and curved edges soften the building’s massing, while a woven, basket-like expression draws inspiration from earthen architectural traditions of West Africa.

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At its core, Nuwe Reis challenges conventional models of affordable housing by integrating design excellence, healthy materials, and holistic support systems to create a community-centered and dignified home to 84 families.

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