Seattle Social Housing Targets 1,670 Units
What Seattle Social Housing Is At its core, Seattle social housing is housing developed, owned, leased, and maintained by a public development authority rather than private market actors. Created through Initiative 135 in 2023, Seattle’s model addresses residents who are rent-burdened and priced out of market-rate housing, yet often earn too much for traditional affordable programs. The urgency is heightened as stalled private tower projects threaten the city’s affordable housing pipeline and expose market stability risks. Public Mission and Structure It is designed to serve individuals and families earning up to 120 percent of area median income, with an emphasis on the missing middle. The model treats housing as a public good through public ownership, holding it in perpetuity as a public asset beyond speculative market pressures. Affordability and Governance Rents are intended to remain permanently affordable and capped at no more than 30 percent of household income. The approach al...