Today’s oil train explosion in Heimdal, North Dakota and the fire raging at the oil refinery in Tacoma are stark visual evidence of the need to transition away from our dependence on fossil fuels. My thoughts go out to the first responders in both cities, and I hope they are able to safely combat those fires. […]
Category: Councilmember O’Brien
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Changes to Lowrise zoning regulations
On Monday, the Council will introduce a bill that makes several changes to the multi-family code to ensure that new development in Lowrise zones is at-scale with the neighborhood, while continuing to produce significant new housing throughout the City. Background In 2010, the City Council adopted a comprehensive package of changes to the multi-family code. […]
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Creating a more pedestrian-friendly Seattle
Today the Planning, Land Use and Sustainability (PLUS) Committee voted on a CB 118327 which establishes a new “pedestrian designation” in 40 neighborhoods throughout Seattle. A pedestrian-designation is a tool to support the development of walkable business districts in the City. The local businesses that make up our business districts bring the people and create […]
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My reflections on the People’s Tribunal on the Juvenile Justice System
This past weekend I attended the People’s Tribunal on the Juvenile Justice System, hosted by Ending the Prison Industrial Complex (EPIC), Youth Undoing Institutional Racism (YUIR) and their community partners. It was an inspiring day. Several hundred activists, concerned neighbors and community leaders came together to deepen our understanding of the systems that result in […]
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The Trans-Pacific Partnership
The United States and 11 other Pacific Rim countries — including Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam — are currently negotiating a significant trade deal called the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The reach of this trade pact will likely extend beyond the 12 countries, as negotiators intend to be […]
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A bold step to help address homelessness
As we reach the end of the ten-year time frame set out in the Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness, there are still more than 2,300 people on our streets each night in Seattle. These figures are especially heart-wrenching during these colder, wetter winter months in Seattle, but the fact is we simply don’t have […]
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2014 in Review
What an exciting year it has been to be a Councilmember in Seattle. We passed historic legislation to raise wages for over 100,000 workers in the City and saw the voters support two progressive initiatives to establish a universal preschool program and expand transit service in Seattle. There is so much more to be proud […]
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Councilmembers Godden, O’Brien Announce Accelerated Green Lake Algae Cleanup
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 11/20/2014
Councilmembers Godden, O'Brien Announce Accelerated Green Lake Algae Cleanup
SEATTLE - Councilmembers Jean Godden and Mike O'Brien announced today that funding was unanimously recommended by the Council's Budget...
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Council Pursues Plan for New Building Development to Fund Affordable Housing
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 10/14/2014
Council Pursues Plan for New Building Development to Fund Affordable Housing
SEATTLE - A City Council committee today recommended approval of a plan to create an affordable housing linkage fee to preserve and create affordable housing in Seattle. The resolution directs City departments to develop legislation whereby new construction in multi-family and commercial zones would mitigate the cost of increasing rents by funding housing affordable to those households making $45,000 - $65,000 per year, which is 60% - 80% of area median income (AMI).
"If we want Seattle to be an inclusive city for people of all incomes, then we need to see more housing produced that's affordable to more people. Up until this point, the market has clearly not given us the housing we need," said Councilmember Mike O'Brien, chair of the Planning, Land Use and Sustainability Committee and the legislation's sponsor.
Developers could either pay a per-square-foot fee, which is variable based on project's location in the city, or avoid the fee by dedicating at least 3% - 5% of the units in their project to households making less than 80% AMI. The money generated from fees would be invested in workforce housing.
"Our expert economic consultants suggest that at this fee level, development would absorb the fees without constricting new supply or significantly raising rents," Councilmember O'Brien added.
The following map illustrates where the linkage fee would be applied in multi-family and commercial development in the city.
Full Council is expected to vote on the resolution on Monday, October 20. Draft legislation for Council consideration is expected by June 1, 2015. The final legislation is anticipated to gradually phase-in over a three year period and would not affect existing projects or new projects with permit applications already submitted.
Additional information about O'Brien's proposal for an Affordable Housing Linkage Fee in Seattle is available online.
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Affordable Housing Linkage Fee Proposal
City Council is currently considering a new way to help fund workforce affordable housing in Seattle. It is called the Affordable Housing Linkage Fee. The basis of the proposal is that the rapid growth and new development we are experiencing in Seattle is causing an even greater need for more affordable housing. This new fee […]