Housing Developments: #shovelready

3,066 affordable homes in the balance as legislature mulls capital budget

Tomorrow is the eighth day of the legislative session and it is a doozy. Why? Because it is also the deadline for housing developments expecting Housing Trust Fund dollars to apply to low income tax credits. These developments are otherwise ready to go and just need lawmakers to pass a capital budget, which they were unable to do last session. 

Our friends at Washington Low Income Housing Alliance estimate that 3,066 #shovelready affordable homes statewide are at risk of not being built this year if the budget isn’t passed by the 17th. Let your lawmakers know our state can’t afford to wait! 

Other Developments…

  • MHA Webinars 1/25 & 1/29: We can mandate affordability in Seattle this year! Get ready for public hearings in your neighborhood by brushing up on your Mandatory Housing Affordability knowledge. There are two dates to choose from, register for either here.

  • The Fort Lawton DEIS hearing was awesome! Seattleites showed up to city council know that public land should be used to meet our urgent affordable housing need. You can still submit written comment until January 29th! 

  • Market conditions are making it harder and harder to use Section 8 vouchers. Crosscut talks with SHA and KCHA about the program here.

  • …But could there be a promise of relief on the horizon? Seattle area-average rents decreased for the first time in a decade. We’re still the third hottest market, though.

  • Emergency Shelter &Services outside Seattle: An RFP! King County is making $1 million available over three years for new or expanded emergency shelter services outside of Seattle. Apply by 1/30. Details here under RFP# 1012-18-VLN.

  • The Firs Residents stay in place, at least for now: A judge blocked eviction proceedings for Firs residents, who hope to acquire the park in SeaTac themselves.

  • Bellevue considers more affordability at deeper levels for MFTE.

  • Count Us In, All Home’s annual census of people experiencing homelessness, is now accepting volunteers. The count will take place in the early morning hours of Friday, January 26th.

  • Advocacy Workshops from our friends at SKCCH! Our friends at the Seattle/King County Coaltion on Homelessness have a series of Homelessness Advocacy 101 Workshops coming up. They’re free to attend, and a lot of fun!