Councilmember M. Lorena González, chair of the Gender Equity, Safe Communities, New Americans & Education Committee, issued the following statement in response to Microsoft’s announcement about their pledge to invest $500 million to help develop affordable housing in Seattle and on the eastside:
“I commend Microsoft for their leadership and recognizing the region’s urgent need for affordable housing. Microsoft President Brad Smith succinctly captured what many of us know in the area: jobs came to our region, but housing did not.
“Microsoft acknowledged an important aspect that has come with our region’s growth: income and wealth inequality and a widening affordability gap. When the people who teach our kids and keep us safe and healthy can’t afford to live in the communities they serve, we must do better.
“As a policymaker, I remain committed to working with anyone who wants to join the table to identify solutions and policy tools that will help build more affordable housing for our region’s families. Microsoft’s commitment to affordable housing, services for those experiencing homelessness, and advocating for policies that will address affordability, once again, shows the thinking and innovation that helped them become a household name. I look forward to the opportunity to work with Microsoft and other local electeds to make our region affordable for all.”