Mayor Jenny A. Durkan announced more than $100 million in investments to build and preserve 1,450 affordable homes in neighborhoods across Seattle, including the construction of 896 new homes in nine new buildings. These Office of Housing investments represent a spectrum of different housing types for low-income residents, including permanent supportive housing for those experiencing homelessness, apartments for low-income individuals and families, transit-oriented development, and homes for first-time homebuyers.
“Too many long-time residents are getting locked out and pushed out of Seattle. We need to urgently increase the amount of affordable housing to stop the huge displacement of people and provide permanent housing for people experiencing homelessness,” said Mayor Durkan. “With this investment, our City is delivering on our commitment to create more affordable housing, including building 900 new homes and keeping 550 homes affordable for the next 50 years.”
In addition to utilizing the first year of funding from the 2016 voter-passed Seattle Housing Levy, the Office of Housing’s 2017 investments also include funding from incentive zoning payments, proceeds from the sale of surplus properties, and $29 million in bonds approved by the Seattle City Council. Using additional local and federal resources, the City’s awards for rental housing will support more than $260 million in investments.
“Today’s exciting announcement builds on a 36-year commitment to investing in affordable homes in our city,” said Steve Walker, director of the Office of Housing. “Funding different housing approaches to meet the diverse needs of low-income community members enables working people, families, and those experiencing homelessness to live in and contribute to our city. These are durable investments, offering stability and opportunity not only now, but for at least 50 years into the future.”
The 2017 funding awards will support the construction of nine new buildings (896 apartments), two affordable homeownership sites (26 homes), and the preservation of four buildings (535 apartments) throughout Seattle. A full list of buildings is included below.
“After ten years of work in cooperation with local neighbors, we are thrilled to have the support from the City of Seattle to build Filipino Community Village,” said Velma Veloria, Co-Chair of the Filipino Community Village project and a former state legislator. “The community wanted to create housing to support our elders and we look forward to the village becoming a hub for cultural events like dance and cooking classes and offering an innovative learning center for youth.”
Every year, the Office of Housing provides a notice of funding availability for the Rental Housing Program. Affordable housing developers submit proposals that respond to City priorities. This year’s awards support 12 of the proposals. The Office of Housing’s 2017 investments also include a commitment for two affordable homeownership projects as well as an award for transit oriented development at Roosevelt Station, a partnership with Sound Transit.
Over the last 36 years, the Office of Housing has invested nearly $450 million in the creation and preservation of over 14,000 affordable rental homes. These homes are located in high-quality, sustainable buildings located throughout the City of Seattle. They remain affordable to people with incomes ranging from zero to 60% of the area median income for a minimum of 50 years and provide stability for homeless adults, families, and youth; seniors and people with disabilities; and low-wage working families.
More information on the Rental Housing Program and the Seattle Housing Levy can be found at www.seattle.gov/housing.
