A special election on February 11 will ask us to choose how to fund Seattle Social Housing, Seattle’s new social housing developer. But what is social housing?
Social housing is different from affordable housing.
A few things make social housing unique:
It’s not restricted by the income limits that exist in traditional affordable housing, enabling us to provide homes for more people, especially those who power our economy. These are the teachers, firefighters, and service workers who often are rent burdened or priced out of market rate rents, yet don’t qualify for affordable housing.
It’s more stable for renters. Social housing residents don’t face eviction if they get a raise or a promotion. They can remain stably housed even as life and financial circumstances change, and continue to pay 30% of their income as rent.
It’s more flexible around qualifications. Affordable housing providers must adhere to federal guidelines for tenant screening and eligibility. Social housing does not, allowing for more flexibility in eligibility.
It’s funded differently than affordable housing. Social housing is funded with public dollars. Since social housing is not funded via tax credits and does not require federal eligibility certification to distribute funds, it has flexibility and nimbleness to move quickly.
It will be kept permanently in the public good. Social housing buildings cannot be sold to private or market rate developers, ensuring long-term affordability and sustainability.
Social housing can help create an affordable Seattle for all.More and more Seattle workers are finding themselves stuck—overburdened by rent or priced out of Seattle yet unable to qualify for affordable housing. 44% of Seattle renters are considered “rent burdened,” meaning they pay more than 30% of their income toward housing. Because social housing rent is capped at 30% of a household’s income, many of the people we consider to be essential to our economy—nurses, child care workers, grad students, grocery store workers, teachers—will have a chance to live close to their jobs, ensuring an affordable Seattle for all.
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