Seattle residents will be voting on Tues., Feb. 11 on an initiative to support Social Housing. If you are a PROTEC17 member who lives in Seattle, we strongly support a ‘YES’ vote on Proposition 1A! Back in 2023, voters passed Initiative 135 in support of social housing, and this 2025 proposition will create the funding mechanism for the new program. 

What is Social Housing?

The Seattle Social Housing Developer (SSHD) is a not-for-profit development authority focused on addressing the city’s housing needs through innovative solutions that bring together people of mixed income levels, with a particular focus on those who are being priced out of the city. 

The SSHD envisions their housing communities will be home to low- and moderate income families, seniors living on fixed incomes, individuals with disabilities, and people working in professions that do not earn enough to afford market rents – including public service workers like PROTEC17 members, teachers, bus drivers, day care workers, etc. – as well as higher-income households who value living in an income diverse community. 

The SSHD will develop properties that are publicly owned with stable, affordable rates that are governed, in part, by the renters themselves. The goal is to foster thriving, sustainable communities where people choose to live long term and build strong neighbor relationships. In addition, the development is designed to adhere to the highest environmental standards and practices.

How will the SSHD be funded?

The funding mechanism for the SSHD comes from a tax on our city’s wealthiest employers who will pay a 5% payroll tax on salaries over one million dollars annually, generating an estimated $50 million. Once the SSHD is established, social housing is designed to be financially sustainable. For construction, it often relies on traditional short term funding sources such as construction loans and/or government bonds. Ongoing operating costs and the long term “mortgage” is paid by the rents, i.e. the full spectrum of rents combine to pay all operating expenses, debt payment and reserves for future repairs and replacements. Additionally, contributions from government or philanthropy can be incorporated to improve affordability. 

If you would like more information about social housing, the SSHD, and Prop 1A, you can visit their website at: socialhousingseattle.org or please feel free to contact PROTEC17 Political Director Mark Watson, at mark@protec17.org or 800-783-0017 ext. 133.