Kiara Daniels and 3D Homes Launch 7 Modern Townhomes in Tacoma’s Hilltop
On December 19th, 2025, the Hilltop community gathered to celebrate the official launch of 3D Homes' first development project and a powerful demonstration of what happens when intentional support meets visionary leadership.
The groundbreaking ceremony brought together developers, community leaders, funding partners, and neighbors to witness Kiara Daniels—Tacoma City Council Member, 1DROP member, and founder of 3D Homes—take the first symbolic shovel into the ground of her hometown neighborhood.
Kiara's Journey to Development
Kiara Daniels is a proud Tacoma native and Hilltop resident whose career has been rooted in public service. As an At-Large Council Member for the City of Tacoma, she chairs the Economic and Development Committee, where she leads efforts to foster new development and remove barriers to building much-needed housing.
But for Kiara, advocacy alone wasn't enough. After years of championing affordable housing and seeing the impact of the housing crisis firsthand, Kiara decided to transition from "theory to practice".
“I didn’t want to keep begging people to build what I wanted to see; I wanted to be a practitioner and design solutions. ”
Seven Townhomes Designed for Attainable Ownership
The 3D Homes project will deliver seven modern townhome units designed to create pathways to homeownership for those who have been historically excluded from it. Each unit features three bedrooms and three bathrooms, including a next-generation suite—a full bedroom with an ensuite bathroom that offers families both dignity and an opportunity for wealth generation, such as renting to offset mortgage costs.
One hundred percent of the units will be made available to buyers under 120% Area Median Income, ensuring that young people, women, and BIPOC families have an opportunity to own homes in the neighborhood where Kiara herself purchased her first home.
The site itself holds significance—a formerly blighted property across from an elementary school, now being transformed into quality middle housing in a neighborhood where new construction has been hardest to secure. With a projected completion date of Summer 2026, these homes will offer the space, design, and ownership model that Hilltop families deserve.
For Kiara, choosing Hilltop wasn't just a business decision—it was a homecoming.
“Hilltop is where I purchased my first home for myself, It was important for me to come back to my roots. My whole reason for being in development is to build out my community, and that starts with Hilltop.”
The 1DROP Model
As a member of the 1DROP collective, Kiara’s journey highlights the critical role of intentional mentorship and strategic partnerships. 1DROP supports underrepresented developers of color by providing the technical guidance and networks necessary to navigate a high-stakes industry where reputation is everything.
During the ceremony, the impact of this support was clear:
Mentorship: Reggie Brown (Louis Rudolph Homes, 1DROP Co-Founder) spoke to the growth of the 1DROP model and the success of positioning developers like Kiara for long-term impact.
Funding: Tyler Benton of Bellevue Lending delivered an emotional speech, becoming visibly moved as he reflected on his own position of privilege and expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to support a community-led vision. He discussed the critical funding component of the project, specifically how the construction loan provides the necessary capital to begin the building phase and move the project toward completion.
Acquisition: Loundyne Hare and India Clark of Northwest Investment Partners spoke to the intricate process of securing the site and how their collaborative model helps underrepresented developers overcome traditional barriers to property acquisition.
The Ripple Effect Continues
For Kiara and 3D Homes, this first project establishes a foundation for future developments that will continue to prioritize community over market, ownership over displacement, and dignity over profit margins.
“Getting to construction after a year-long process is kind of a dream. It doesn’t feel real until you really get the shovel in the ground.”
For 1DROP, the 3D Homes groundbreaking reinforces the mission at the heart of the collective: to create ripple effects throughout communities by developing the next generation of community-focused developers who will continue this work for years to come.
About 1DROP
1DROP is a collective of underrepresented real estate developers addressing the Puget Sound housing crisis. We are committed to empowering underrepresented developers to build housing for all wages, all stages, and all ages while growing access to generational wealth.
About 3D Homes
3D Homes is a female-led development and consulting firm dedicated to bridging the gap between community needs and quality housing solutions. Founded by Kiara Daniels, the firm specializes in middle housing development and land acquisition with a focus on creating generational wealth and neighborhood stability.
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