Housing Levy Administrative and Financial Plan (adopted)
As the Office of Housing policy changes, HDC advocated for strategies and programmatic areas that include: robust affirmative marketing needs to be planned and implemented, advance community preference policies, review residential prevailing wages, use public sites for affordable homeownership, and more. Read HDC’s full comment letter here. Seattle City Council voted to adopt the A&F plan on June 17th.
Human Services Contracts: Adjust for Inflation (passed) The cost of delivering services and sustaining the organizations who are the frontline of Seattle’s commitment to human services and human dignity is increasing, but the city’s investment in these organizations and workers has not risen to match inflation. We worked with the Coalition on Homelessness, DESC, Plymouth, Youthcare, El Centro, and other partners to secure a sustainable solution to this yearly problem. This legislation was passed unanimously on July 15th.
ADU/DADUs (passed)
The City issued an environmental impact statement on accessory dwelling units in Seattle. The Queen Anne Community Council opposed the implementation of ADU/DADUs in Seattle. Many housing activist groups like MOAR and Share the Cities have worked hard to mobilize in support of ADU/DADUs as another option to adding to our affordable housing stock. HDC has been working to mobilize in support of using all the tools in our toolkit to increase housing options in Seattle.The Seattle City Council voted to pass this legislation reducing barriers to creation of ADU/DADU on July 1.
MHA(Passed)
HDC has worked hard since HALA’s Grand Bargain to implement a citywide Mandatory Housing Affordability Program. HDC and Seattle 4 Everyone worked to mobilize community members in all of Seattle’s neighborhoods to pass the upzones and MHA. After years of public meetings, policy back and forths, and dedicated advocacy, a citywide MHA new affordable homes in the 27 urban villages that were upzoned. This legislation passed on March 18th.
Fort Lawton (Passed):
The Fort Lawton Redevelopment Plan has been moved from the Mayor’s office to Seattle City Council. The Plan would use underutilized land at a former military site for 237 affordable homes including affordable homeownership opportunities and apartments for low-income seniors and formerly homeless individuals with on-site supportive services. HDC along with organizing groups like Tech 4 Housing have been turning folks about to testify and submit letters to the Office of Housing. This legislation passed on June 10th.
Multi-Family Tax Exemption
The Multifamily Property Tax Exemption (MFTE) Program provides a tax exemption on new multifamily buildings in exchange for setting aside 20-25% of the homes as income- and rent-restricted. The Office of Housing has begun the renewal process and HDC has begun engaging members and partners on an advocacy strategy. Their will be an opportunity for public comment at public hearing on September 12th. Read HDC’s comment letter here.
Funding the Equitable Development Initiative (passed)
Alongside groups like Puget Sound Sage, HDC has been advocating in support of using the short-term rental tax to fund the EDI as well as finding sustainable sources to fund the EDI to match the need. Seattle City Council voted 7-1 to fund the EDI program using the short-term rental tax. Read HDC’s comment letter here.
SDC and Water Services Requirement Here is HDC’s comment letter to Mayor Durkan in regards to the pending plan to revise requirements of what is to be built by the developers for the water system infrastructure and potentially adding system development charges. HDC is advocating to protect low-income households from surcharge on their rent or mortgage and exempting low-income housing developers.
Stadium District Here is HDC’s comment letter to the Planning, Land Use, and Zoning Committee regarding the comprehensive plan amendment creating a stadium district that would change current zoning to promote mixed-use development including workforce housing.
