The criticisms of the Seattle Housing Authority’s Yesler Terrace project noted in [“If they build it, you will pay” RC, Aug. 22-28, 2012] are disputable. I am a critic of the project, but given the facts as I understand them, it is not obvious that "SHA is attempting to take money from the wrong place, tapping a resource meant for new, not replacement, housing.”
Unfortunately the 2009 Housing Levy ballot measure referred to did not specifically reserve the money for expansion of the low-income housing stock exclusively. The ballot language was, “Rental production and preservation.” I wish it had required exclusive use for expansion instead of replacement. It should have. Next time it must. We are stuck with this inadequate language precisely when the need is growing and the resources are diminishing. In my opinion we need a new levy to address the growing need.
The use of 2009 funds has broad approval from major stakeholders. SHA says the 2009 Levy Oversight Committee has approved use of the 2009 funds. The Housing Development Consortium, whose members led the 2009 levy effort, issued an approval, although nuanced. The city council approved. Many thoughtful amendments were sponsored by Councilmember Nick Licata including requiring if SHA wants housing levy funds in the future, it must compete in the bidding process like other low income housing providers.
It is not obvious that SHA has underestimated how much money it will make off the land.” That may be correct, maybe not. The Heartland estimate used by SHA is between the Gardner report estimate and the James Tjoa & Associates estimate. The reality is no one knows how much the land will be worth when it is sold. That will depend on the vagaries of the real estate market. The uncertainty is one of the reasons Citizens Rethink Yesler opposes sale of the land.
I hope low-income housing proponents can unite behind a “Hope in Action” levy after the recent vote. The levy would primarily make it unnecessary for the SHA to sell the Yesler land. Hope in Action would make it unnecessary to use 2009 levy funds and solve many other problems as well. Additionally it would provide significant support for the homeless, and extend and expand the 2009 Housing Levy. It would provide a jump-start for a mixed use cultural center in Little Saigon, Yesler’s neighbor.
Bruce Bowden Citizens Rethink Yesler Seattle