Seattle social housing: Prop. 1A is the better choice

If you believe that the time has come for Seattle to do something bold and meaningful about housing costs that continue to harm our communities, you have just one option in this February’s special election: Vote “yes” on Proposition 1A.

This is the only option on the ballot that will make a meaningful step toward combating the housing affordability crisis. In 2023, Seattle voters approved the creation of the Seattle Social Housing Developer by passing Initiative 135 by a 14-point margin, sending a clear message that we need to take action now. As advocates with deep experience in affordable-housing policy and development, we know we cannot afford the status quo. Scaling social housing is our chance to break out of the housing crisis.

Prop. 1A would ensure that those benefiting the most from Seattle’s prosperity play their role in making it livable for everyone else. It would impose a nominal (5%) business tax on any amount over $1 million paid to any employee in Seattle. The tax would be paid by the employer, not the employee. In the first 10 years, it would directly fund the construction and acquisition of affordable social housing in Seattle, creating more than 2,000 affordable units. These apartments will be affordable for our low- and moderate-income neighbors as well as middle-income workers struggling to afford market-rate housing in Seattle — like teachers, nurses and bus drivers.

What sets social housing apart? The Seattle Social Housing Developer, as supported by voters, will create vibrant mixed-income communities, where rent payments from higher-income residents will support lower-income tenants paying a reduced rent.

Unlike traditional housing models, social housing is not driven by private investors. Instead, it reinvests its proceeds to create additional affordable housing. Under the Seattle Social Housing Developer’s charter, rents will not be more than 30% of renters’ household income. This protects renters in SSHD buildings from staggering rent hikes, like those that pushed the average rent in Seattle up 92% from 2010 to 2020. The SSHD charter also ensures that union labor is used for construction and that SSHD properties would be built to the highest environmental standards to meet our city’s climate change goals and reduce our carbon footprint.

The developer is equipped with the tools to effectively develop and operate high-quality housing. Guided by CEO Roberto Jiménez — an industry leader with decades of experience — SSHD has secured robust support from the Housing Development Consortium, a pivotal group of affordable housing experts, as well as the MLK Labor Council and numerous community and elected leaders. Together, they endorse Prop. 1A, ensuring SSHD has the resources needed to expand social housing and meet the needs of our community.

Opponents of 1A, who seek to protect our wealthiest corporations from this modest tax, have thrown their weight behind a deeply problematic alternative — Prop. 1B — to confuse voters. This proposal does not increase our investment in affordable housing. Even worse, it diverts $10 million away from an existing housing fund that many of our nonprofit housing providers use to build very low-income and homeless housing. We need meaningful action to be taken to address the growing housing crisis, and Prop. 1B is simply a plan for the status quo.

Social housing is the key to reversing the growth of evictions and displacement. To develop mixed-income housing to scale, SSHD needs assets, net worth and liquidity to do its job. With experienced leadership at the helm and an accountable board selected by Mayor Bruce Harrell, the City Council, MLK Labor and more, Prop. 1A is the only option for voters who are ready to take action now.

For more information about SSHD, go to: socialhousingseattle.org