In 2023, Seattle voters were presented with a new approach to housing:

Mixed income public housing where rent from higher earning tenants would offset the rent of people making below the area median income. It was dubbed social housing by its supporters. 

Seattle voters approved the idea and then, a couple years later, chose to give it a lot of money through a new tax on employers who pay individual salaries over $1 million dollars. 

Now, the rubber is hitting the road, Seattle’s Social Housing Developer purchased its first property in June. Soundside recently went to see the apartment building in Belltown and met with Tiffani McCoy, the interim CEO of the social housing developer.

Guest: 

Tiffani McCoy, interim CEO of the Seattle Social Housing Developer

Relevant Links: 

Seattle Times: Seattle’s first social housing building draws more than 10K applicants

The Urbanist: Seattle Social Housing Developer Acquires First Building near Pike Place Market

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