If you stood near the Kent/Des Moines Light Rail Station this week, you might’ve felt it, that buzz in the air, the energy of something big beginning. After years of dreaming, planning, community conversations, and partnership building… construction on the Kent Multicultural Village (MCV) has officially begun!
On March 18, 2026, surrounded by families, partners, and community leaders, we celebrated the groundbreaking of what will soon become one of the most inclusive and culturally vibrant housing communities in South King County. Hosted at Highline College, the event felt less like a ceremony and more like the first chapter of a shared story: one written with our community, for our community.
What We’re Building Together
The Kent Multicultural Village isn’t just a construction site, it’s the foundation of a neighborhood built on belonging, connection, and possibility. When the doors open (estimated Fall 2028), MCV will feature:
- 233 affordable homes, including
- 20% designed for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)
- Family-sized apartments, with more than half offering 2–4 bedrooms
- An inclusive Early Learning Center built around culturally responsive practices
- The new Open Doors for Multicultural Families Resource Center
- Community gathering spaces, public art, and a welcoming plaza
- Ground-floor retail created for commuters, families, and neighbors
All located steps away from the future Kent/Des Moines Light Rail Station: to keep families connected, mobile, and supported.
A Village Built by Many Hands
The Multicultural Village is co-developed by Mercy Housing Northwest and Open Doors for Multicultural Families, with support from an incredible group of funders, architects, community partners, and local leaders.
Every partner, every resident’s story, and every community conversation helped shape what this space will become. This village reflects our shared commitment to creating housing that is inclusive, affordable, culturally grounded, and truly designed with families in mind.
Why This Matters
Right now, more than 37,000 Washingtonians with IDD face housing insecurity. Families across our region struggle to find homes that are accessible, affordable, and connected to community and opportunity.
The Kent Multicultural Village is our collective answer to that challenge.
It’s a place where:
- independence is honored
- cultural identity is celebrated
- families can set down roots
- kids can learn and play in environments built for them
- communities can gather, grow, and thrive together
And Now… We Build!
With construction officially underway, we’re dreaming big—and working steadily toward welcoming families home in Fall 2028.
Until then, we’ll be sharing regular updates, behind-the-scenes stories, and ways the community can stay connected as the Multicultural Village rises from the ground, one beam and one brick at a time.