Interim Mayor Tim Burgess and Councilmember Rob Johnson unveiled a proposal Nov. 9 that, if approved by the City Council, would allow increased density in many neighborhoods throughout the city in exchange for dedicated affordable housing units.
Under the plan, developers would set aside 5 and 11 percent of units as affordable (depending on the neighborhood) and, in return, receive permission to build taller buildings. Alternatively, developers could pay an in-lieu fee that would fund affordable housing projects through the Office of Housing and its nonprofit partners.
The changes would impact existing commercial zones, multi-family zones and Seattle’s 27 “urban villages.”
The affordable units would be income-restricted. A family of four making $57,600 a year would pay $1,296 a month for a two-bedroom apartment.
Similar upzones have already been approved for six neighborhoods: the University District, Downtown, South Lake Union, Chinatown-International District, the 23rd Avenue corridor in the Central District and Uptown.
Ashley Archibald is a Staff Reporter covering local government, policy and equity. Have a story idea? She can be can reached at ashleya (at) realchangenews (dot) org. Twitter @AshleyA_RC
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