>>> OKAY. GOOD AFTERNOON,
EVERYONE. THE APRIL 22, 2026,
MEETING OF THE HOUSING, ARTS,
AND CIVIL RIGHTS COMMITTEE WILL
COME TO ORDER. IT'S 2:01. I'M
DIONNE FOSTER, THE CHAIR OF THE
COMMITTEE. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE
CALL THE ROLL?
>> I CAN BARELY HEAR YOU. YOU
MAY WANT TO CHECK.
>> I DON'T THINK YOUR MIC IS
ON.
>> TESTING, IS THIS BETTER?
>> YEAH.
>> COUNCILMEMBER RINCK? VICE
CHAIR LIN?
>> HERE.
>> SHARE FOSTER?
>> HERE.
>> THERE ARE THREE MEMBERS
PRESENT.
>> FANTASTIC. AND COUNCIL
PRESIDENT H OLLINGSWORTH HAS
BEEN EXCUSED FROM THE MEETING.
HEARING NO OBJECTION, THE AGENDA
IS ADOPTED. CLERK, HOW MANY
SPEAKERS ARE SIGNED UP TODAY?
>> ONE IN PERSON SPEAKER AND NO
REMOTE SPEAKERS.
>> FAN FASTIC. SPEAKERS WILL
HAVE TWO MINUTES. LOOKS LIKE A
SECOND IS SIGNING UP. WE WILL
GET YOUR NAME IN A SECOND.
SPEAKERS WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES,
ASK CLERK, WILL YOU GO AHEAD AND
BEGIN INVITING THE SPEAKERS UP
FOR PUBLIC COMMENT?
>> UP TO 60 MINUTES, CALLED IN
THE ORDER REGISTERED. BEGINNING
WITH IN-PERSON SPEAKERS. ONCE
YOU HAVE HEARD THE CHIME,
THERE'S TEN SECONDS LEFT, AND
THE SPEAKER'S MIC WILL BE MUTED
IF THEY DON'T END WITHIN THE
ALLOTTED TIME. THE PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD IS NOW OPEN,
BEGINNING WITH THE FIRST
SPEAKER, MALCOLM HINES.
>> OH, ANY MIC YOU CHOOSE.
>> THANK YOU. THIS IS JUST
DIRECTED TO THE ARTS AND CULTURE
AND ARTS AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT
FUNDING. I AM AN ADVOCATE FOR
THE ARTS. ACTOR, CAME HERE LAST
TIME ADVOCATING FOR SPACES. I
WANT Y'ALL TO HAVE IN YOUR
CONSIDERATION ABOUT THE FILM
MAKING OPPORTUNITY THAT SEATTLE
HAS BESIDES HARBOR STUDIOS AND
HARBOR ISLAND THAT THIS CITY IS
DEFINITELY LACKING IN FUNDING
AND OPPORTUNITIES TO FILM HERE
FOR FILMMAKERS, AND I WANT TO
ADVOCATE FOR ON THE BEHALF OF
THE FILM SOCIETY AND LOCAL
ARTISTS WHO FILM HERE WHO COULD
USE THE CITY'S HELP. THE CITY
IS SO IMMACULATE AND BEAUTIFUL
TO BE ABLE TO EXPLORE AND SHOW
THE WORLD AS IT IS FIRST IN
ATHLETICS, AS IT IS FIRST IN
OTHER THINGS, SPORTS, CAN BE
FIRST IN THE ARTS, AND IT ALSO
STARTS WITH FILM. I WORK FOR
SIFF AND AN ADVOCATE FOR
THEATER. THE LACK OF FILM
EDUCATION AND THE FILMING DONE
IN THIS CITY, ESPECIALLY THIS
AREA OF THIS CITY IS VITALLY
IMPORTANT. THERE'S ONLY THINGS
LIKE LOCALS ONLY, AND OTHER
STUFF ON A SMALLER SCALE, BUT
THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO
WENT TO FILM HERE THAT STILL
WORK IN THE CITY AND ARE NOT
WORKING, AND THIS ALSO BENEFITS
THE COMMUNITY AND THE CULTURE
WHICH WE ARE IN. IF WE WANT TO
BE BACK IN THE HIGH-RANKING, AS
FAR AS THE ARTS IN AMERICA, AS
FAR AS A CITY, AND NOT IN THE
'20s, YOU I HAVE TO START WITH
THE CORE, AND THAT IS THE
FILMMAKERS, AND THE PEOPLE THAT
ARE READY TO SHOOT AND DON'T
HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY AND CAN'T
SHOOT BECAUSE OF THE LEGALITY
PART OF IT. SO, JUST FOR Y'ALL
CONSIDERATION.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU,
MALCOLM.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS RUTH
DITE.
>> I WANT TO APOLOGIZE. I LOOKED
FOR AN AGENDA ONLINE, AND I
COULDN'T FIND ONE, SO I SAW
HOUSING, AND OF COURSE, I'M
TALKING ABOUT -- SO THAT'S --
>> BEFORE YOU START, RUTH, WE
ASK THAT YOU LEAVE YOUR SIGN AT
YOUR SEAT. WE DON'T HAVE SIGNS
AT THE PODIUM TYPICALLY.
>> IT'S NOT A SIGN. THAT'S
FROM THE NO KING'S MARCH. OKAY,
I AM REPURPOSING. THIS IS, I
WANT TO TALK TO THIS -- IS THAT
OKAY?
>> YEAH, WE DON'T LET SIGNS UP
AT THE PODIUM, SO IF YOU WANT TO
PUT IT AT THE SEAT AND DO YOUR
PUBLIC COMMENT, THAT WOULD BE
FANTASTIC.
>> IT'S JUST DEMONSTRATING WHAT
I'M TALKING ABOUT.
>> I APPRECIATE THAT. WE HAVE A
POLICY NOT TO HAVE SIGNS AT THE
PODIUM. I WANT TO BE CONSISTENT.
>> I HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE.
OKAY, ALL RIGHT. OKAY IF I PUT
IT -- OH, YOU CAN'T SEE IT.
OKAY. TOOK A BIT OF TIME TO
MAKE. OKAY --
>> WE WILL GO AHEAD AND START
YOUR TIME NOW, RUTH.
>> OKAY, I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT
ZONE DEVELOPMENT CAPACITY AND
WHAT IT MEANS. NOT VERY MANY
PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANS.
WHAT MY POSTER HERE IS SUPPOSED
TO ILLUSTRATE -- HOW THEY GO
ABOUT ESTIMATING IT. THERE ARE
TWO STATE REQUIREMENTS, ONE THAT
DEVELOPMENT IN 20 YEARS. NOW
THAT MARKET SUPPLY FACTOR IS
SOMETHING THAT IS RARELY TALKED
ABOUT. AND SO YOU -- WHAT THEY
DO, THEY LOOK AT ALL OF THE ZONE
LAND, SUBTRACT THE UNBUILDABLE.
SUBTRACT MARKET UNAVAILABLE, AND
WHAT YOU'RE LEFT WITH IS
330,000 DEVELOPABLE, EXPECTED TO
BE ON THE MARKET, UNITS OF
CAPACITY. A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK
THAT NUMBER IS SO BIG BECAUSE,
WELL, YOU HAVE TO TAKE ACCOUNT
FOR THE FACT THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT
GOING TO PUT THEIR MARKET UP FOR
SALE, BUT THAT'S NOT TRUE. I
HAVE NEVER HEARD THERE'S IT
EXPLAINED IT'S A MARKET SUPPLY
FACTOR BUILT INTO THIS REQUIRED
BY THE STATE. VERY IMPORTANT TO
UNDERSTAND THIS. WE HAVE A
TARGET OF 120,000. WE HAVE THEN
280,000 BEYOND OUR 120,000.
THAT'S A ZONING BUFFER. THE
IDEA OF THE ZONING BUFFER, IF
YOU HAVE A LOT OF LAND AVAILABLE
IT WILL BRING PRICES DOWN AND
BUILDERS HAVE MORE CHOICE. THE
PROBLEM IS IN A GROWING CITY
LIKE SEATTLE, SAME THING
HAPPENED IN VANCOUVER, THIS
DOESN'T HAPPEN. THE LAND
DOESN'T DEPRECIATE. THAT'S ONE
OF THE POINTS I KEEP TRYING TO
MAKE HERE, AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE
TO SAY.
>> THANK YOU, RUTH. CLERK, ARE
THERE ANY FURTHER PUBLIC
SPEAKERS.
>> NO.
>> YES! I SIGNED UP ONLINE!
>> GO AHEAD AND DO YOUR PUBLIC
COMMENT, AND LET'S JUST MAKE
SURE BEFORE YOU LEAVE WE HAVE
YOU SIGNED UP FOR A RECORD OF
THAT. GIVE US ONE SECOND, AND WE
WILL START YOUR TIME.
>> PERHAPS THE CITY COUNCIL
CHAIR WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE
HIGH-RISK INSURANCE -- THAT KIND
OF DESTROY THE PERMANENT SUPPLY
OF HOUSING. THE SERVICE
PROVIDERS ARE NOT BREAKING THE
ADDICTION AND THE UNDERWORLD
THAT ALL OF THE RESIDENTS ARE
ENJOYING. ALL OF THESE HOMELESS
PEOPLE ARE BEING MISTREATED AND
DENIED. SEEMS LIKE YOU COULD
IMPROVE THE ROBUST OFFERING AND
CAPACITY, WHETHER AUTHORIZING
POCKETS OF NONPROFITS AND
PURPOSEFULLY BACK STABS
DEVELOPERS WHO COULD GO 8 TO 12
STORIES WITH LIVABLE AMENITIES
THAT EVERYONE COULD ENJOY. IF
YOU GO THROUGH YOUR PRESENTATION
TODAY OF THE NONPROFITS CLAIMING
FOR PERMITS FOR AFFORDABLE
HOUSING, LOOKING TO DUMP THEIR
SALARIES AND LIKE DEBT AND BILLS
ON TO THE TAXPAYERS AS A BAILOUT
AFTER THEY REMORTGAGED, ALL
BUILDINGS ARE HOVERING OVER THE
SIDEWALK PRACTICALLY, NEXT TO
THE MOST FAMOUS BAR, OR TOO LOW
TO THE GROUND, SO EVERYBODY
LIVES IN THE BUILDING HAS TO PUT
UP TO THE STREET NOISE, AND NO
LIVABLE AMENITIES TO GO WHEN THE
TRASH TRUCK COMES IN. YOU HAVE
TO GO HIGHER, TALLER, SAVES
TREES. BE AWARE OF THE PEOPLE
WEAPONIZING TREES WHO DON'T OWN
A HOME. THEY DON'T WANT PEOPLE
TO BUILD BACK BETTER. I AGREE
ABOUT THE NONPROFITS UNQUALIFIED
TO COME INTO OTHER PEOPLE'S
NEIGHBORHOODS AND BUILD A CRAPPY
HOME THAT IS SO LOUD TO THE
GROUND THAT YOU ALLOW PEOPLE TO
DRINK TO GET THEMSELVES TO SLEEP
TO -- NEED TO BE HELD
ACCOUNTABLE BUILT.
>> THANK YOU, DAVID. CLERK, DO
WE HAVE ANY FURTHER SPEAKERS?
>> NO FURTHER SPEAKERS.
>> WITH THAT, OUR FIRST ITEM OF
THE BUSINESS. WILL THE CLERK
PLEASE READ ITEM ONE INTO THE
RECORD.
>> AGENDA ATESTIMONY ONE,
APPOINTMENT 03471 THE I
APPOINTMENT OF AMY NGUYEN AS THE
DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF ARTS
AND CULTURE.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE UP TO
THE TABLE INTERIM DIRECTOR AMY
NGUYEN JOINED BY DEPUTY DIRECTOR
OF OPERATIONS MARK ELLERRBROOK.
I WILL TAKE A FEW MOMENTS TO
SPEAK ON THIS ITEM, AND FIRST I
WILL SAY WELCOME BACK INTERIM
DIRECTOR NGUYEN. IT'S A
PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU BACK. IT
WAS BEAUTIFUL WHEN WE HAD THE
OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE YOU AND WHAT
I WOULD IMAGINE IS A FRACTION OF
YOUR COMMUNITY, BUT A VERY FULL
COUNCIL HERE IN CHAMBERS A FEW
WEEKS AGO. IT WAS REALLY A
FANTASTIC MOMENT TO HEAR THE
SUPPORT FOR YOU AND YOUR
NOMINATION, AND ALSO, I THINK TO
MY UNDERSTANDING, THE FIRST TIME
WE HAVE SEEN A DEPARTMENT
DIRECTOR'S FACE ON A POPSICLE
STICK IN CHAMBERS. THAT WAS
FANTASTIC, AND IN ALL
SERIOUSNESS, OUR OFFICE SENT
AROUND RESPONSES TO YOUR WRITTEN
QUESTIONS PRIOR TO TODAY'S
CONVERSATION. TODAY PROVIDES AN
OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMITTEES TO
ASK REMAINING QUESTIONS AND FOR
YOU INTERIM DIRECTOR NGUYEN, TO
SHARE ANY INFORMATION THAT YOU
WANTED TO SHARE AS A FOLLOWUP
FROM OUR CONVERSATION SEVERAL
WEEKS AGO. I WILL JUST SAY THAT
IN CONCLUSION, THEY THINK WE
FEEL VERY LUCKY TO HAVE YOU HERE
AS A NOMINEE TO LEAD THE OFFICE
OF ARTS AND CULTURE. I WILL SAY
WHAT I HAVE SEEN IN PUBLIC AND
IN OUR ONE-ON-ONE MEETINGS IS A
REAL COMMITMENT TO THE ARTS AND
A REAL COMMITMENT TO THINKING
CREATIVELY AND INNOVATIVELY
ABOUT HOW TO COLLABORATE ACROSS
DEPARTMENTS HERE AT THE CITY,
AND IT'S EXCITING TO HAVE YOU
AS A NOMINEE WITH EXPERIENCE
COMING BACK TO THE CITY, AND I
THINK WE LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT
THAT LEADERSHIP CAN MEAN FOR US
AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME. INTERIM
DIRECTOR NGUYEN, BEFORE WE TURN
TO MY FELLOW COMMITTEE -- BEFORE
WE TURN TO MY FELLOW COMMITTEE
MEMBERS FOR ANY QUESTIONS, I
INVITE YOU TO SHARE ANY THOUGHTS
YOU WOULD LIKE TO AS AN OPENING.
>> GO, AMY! [ LAUGHTER ].
>> I WAS MISSING YOU
COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ, AND I'M
EXPECTING HARD QUESTIONS FROM
YOU.
>> YOU GOT NOTHING GIRL. I GOT
YOU.
>> I WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH
CHAIR FOSTER FOR THAT
INTRODUCTION. I ALSO WANT TO
THANK YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES
FOR THE FANTASTIC QUESTIONS SENT
TO US IN ADVANCE AS WELL AS THE
QUESTIONS DURING THE COMMITTEE.
TO BE JOINED IN CHAMBERS AT THAT
TIME AND THE SHORT PERIOD
SERVING AS INTERIM, I HAVE HAD
THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO SO
MANY ARTISTS INDIVIDUALS, SMALL,
MID, LARGE, NONPROFIT, AND MAJOR
INSTITUTIONS. THE COMMON THREAD
IS PEOPLE ARE READY TO SEE
ACTION AND VALUE BROUGHT TO --
AND HONORED FOR ARTS AND
CULTURE. THAT'S A MANDATE I
CANNOT ACHIEVE ALONE. WE NEED
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MAYOR'S
OFFICE AND CITY COUNCIL IN ORDER
TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE ARTS
AND CULTURE SECTOR THAT MAKE
THIS CITY COLORFUL AND
INTERESTING.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH INTERIM
DIRECTOR NGUYEN. I REALLY
APPRECIATE THAT. I BELIEVE WE
ARE WORKING TO GET COUNCILMEMBER
RIN CK ONLINE AS WELL. I KNOW
SHE IS EXCITED TO SHARE
QUESTIONS. I WILL FIRST TURN TO
MY FELLOW COMMITTEE MEMBERS TO
GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO ASK
QUESTIONS OF INTERIM DIRECTOR
NGUYEN. COUNCILMEMBER LIN?
>> SO GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.
EXCITED FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.
JUST A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. ONE,
ONE OF THE THINGS I'M EXCITED
ABOUT IN YOUR RESUME BACKGROUND
IS YOUR EXPERIENCE AROUND PUBLIC
CITY NIGHT MARKET, AND YOU KNOW,
IT'S SUCH A WONDERFUL
EXPERIENCE, AND FOR THE
COMMUNITY TO COME TOGETHER, AND
TO HAVE LIVE MUSIC, AND SO MANY
SMALL, YOU KNOW, BUSINESSES,
VENDORS SELLING ARTS OR OTHER
CRAFTS, AND JUST WONDERING IF --
WHAT THE ROLE YOU SEE FOR THE
OFFICE OF ARTS IN SORT OF
PARTNERING AROUND PUBLIC SPACE
ACTIVATION?
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH,
COUNCILMEMBER LIN. IT'S
SOMETHING I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT
AS WELL. THE EXAMPLE YOU BROUGHT
UP, I THINK, IS A WONDERFUL
EXAMPLE OF A PROGRAM WITHIN THE
OFFICE OF ARTS AND CULTURE. WE
HAVE VERY LITTLE REGULATORY ARM
APART FROM THE CULTURAL
DISTRICTS PROGRAM. THE COLUMBIA
CITY HILLMAN CITY DISTRICT IS AN
EXCEPTIONAL EXAMPLE OF VERY
ORGANIZED BUSINESSES' COMMUNITY
MEMBERS WHO HAVE TRANSFORMED AND
TAKEN CONTROL OF THEIR
NEIGHBORHOOD AND MADE THAT
PUBLIC SPACE HAPPEN. I WAS AT
SDOT IN PUBLIC SPACE MANAGEMENT
DURING COVID WHEN THOSE VERY
COMMUNITY MEMBERS PUSHED US TO
ADVANCE OUR STREET CLOSURES IN
ORDER TO MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS.
THIS IS A VIBRANT NEIGHBORHOOD
THAT ALSO PUSHED FORWARD ON
CULTURAL DISTRICTS, AND NOW WE
HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY AS A CITY TO
DELIVER MORE. WHAT DOES IT MEAN
TO BE A CULTURAL DISTRICT? I
HAVE HAD SOME GREAT INITIAL
CONVERSATIONS WITH THE INTERIM
DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND WE
HAVE BEEN DREAMING ABOUT HOW DO
WE CREATE MORE INNOVATION AND
TEETH AROUND THE CULTURAL
DISTRICT AROUND BUSINESS
IMPROVEMENT AREAS, AND ALSO
THINKING THAT NOT EVERY MODEL
NEEDS TO LOOK THE SAME FOR
NEIGHBORHOODS. HOW CAN WE MOVE
TO ACTUALLY CREATING A MORE
BESPOKE COMMUNITY MODEL THAT
ENHANCES THE MAGIC OF THE
CULTURAL CORRIDORS LIKE IN
COLUMBIA CITY? I'M VERY EXCITED
THAT THE OFFICE OF ARTS AND
CULTURE, WITH HAVE A HISTORY AND
LEGACY ON PUBLIC ART THROUGH THE
1% FOR ART ORDINANCE, A PLACE WE
HAVE WORKED CLOSELY WITH CAPITAL
DEPARTMENTS TO DELIVER ON PUBLIC
ART. THIS OFFICE RECENTLY
LAUNCHED A CREATIVE PLACE MAKING
DIVISION. REALLY HOW CAN WE
THINK ABOUT NOT ONLY THE MID-
AND LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS ON
CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT THAT
TRANSFORMS SPACES, BUT HOW ARE
WE THINKING OF MEETING THE
EVERYDAY, CREATING OPPORTUNITIES
TO IN ARTS AND CULTURE THAT
DOESN'T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL
AFTER CONSTRUCTION, MITIGATION,
AND PROJECT DELIVERY BEFORE YOU
EXPERIENCE THAT. I THINK
FESTIVAL STREETS, JUST AS HOW WE
ACTIVATE OUR AFTERNOONS,
EVENINGS, ARTS AND CULTURE IS
ENTIRELY AT THE CORE OF THAT,
JUST AS BUSINESSES ARE. IT'S
MUSIC. YOU SAID IT. YOU CAN FEEL
IT. YOU CAN SMELL IT WHEN YOU'RE
EXPERIENCING COLUMBIA CITY
ALIVE. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE
IS THAT WE ENHANCE AND INVEST
DEEPER INTO CULTURAL DISTRICTS,
BUT WE ALSO ASK WHAT
NEIGHBORHOODS DON'T HAVE THAT.
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE FOR US TO
BUILD THE APPROPRIATE CULTURAL
SUPPORT SO THAT, WELL, ARTS AND
CULTURE ARE TREATED AS THAT
SPECIFIC INFRASTRUCTURE?
>> JUST TO FOLLOW UP, THANK YOU
SO MUCH, AND ONE THING, AND NOT
REALLY BE, YOU KNOW, WITH YOUR
DEPARTMENT NECESSARILY, BUT YOU
KNOW, ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT THE
COLUMBIA CITY NIGHT MARKET HAS
FACED, SO MANY PERMITTING FEES
FROM SDOT, INSURANCE, AND OTHER
REQUIREMENTS, AND WE DON'T, YOU
KNOW, HAVE THE SAME FEES FOR SO
MANY VEHICLES THAT TAKE UP
SPACE, BUT FOR SOME REASON, WHEN
PEDESTRIANS TAKE UP THE SPACE,
WE START CHARGING FOR IT, AND
ANYTHING, I WOULD BE HAPPEN TO
PARTNER WITH YOU TO HELP
ACTIVATE THE STREETS IN
DIFFERENT WAYS, SO THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH
COUNCILMEMBER LIN. I WILL TURN
TO COLLEAGUES TO SEE IF THERE
ARE OTHER QUESTIONS FROM
COLLEAGUES, AND I WILL ALSO TAKE
THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO
WELCOME COUNCILMEMBER RINCK WHO
HAS JOINED US. COUNCILMEMBER
RINCK?
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR, COLLEAGUES,
AND ACTING DIRECTOR NGUYEN FOR
BEING HERE. I KNOW THE LAST TIME
YOU WERE BEFORE US IN COMMITTEE,
I HAD A FEW QUESTIONS, BUT TODAY
I JUST HAVE COMMENTS, VERY
POSITIVE COMMENTS, AND A LOT OF
EXCITEMENT FOR YOU. THIS IS JUST
SUCH AN EXCITING MOMENT, AND I
KNOW THAT THE COMMUNITY IS
THRILLED TO HAVE YOU IN THIS
POSITION, READY TO HAVE YOUR
BACK AS YOU STEP INTO THIS
LEADERSHIP ROLE. MY STAFF IS
TRYING TO GET SOME OF THE REALLY
CUTE SIGNS THAT WERE PRESENT
DURING THE LAST MEETING. I WOULD
LOVE ONE OF THOSE WITH JUST YOUR
FACE ON A LITTLE POPSICLE STICK.
IT'S GREAT. JUST GIVEN YOUR
EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE, I
CAN'T IMAGINE A BETTER PERSON
FOR THE ROLE. THE CITY NEEDS
YOUR LEADERSHIP RIGHT NOW. I'M
GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR STEPPING UP
IN THIS MOMENT. YOU HAVE MY
VOTE. I OFFER YOU MY SUPPORT AND
ENCOURAGEMENT AS WE WORK
TOGETHER TO DO BIG THINGS, SO
THANK YOU. THANK YOU, CHAIR.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH,
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK. COLLEAGUES,
ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? OKAY,
BEFORE WE GO TO VOTE, I'M GOING
TO ASK YOU ONE, AND I WANT TO --
YOU KNOW, WE HAD SOME GREAT
PUBLIC COMMENT EARLIER TODAY
ABOUT THE FILM COMMUNITY, AND I
KNOW THAT JUST LAST WEEK OR TWO
WEEKS AGO WE HAD APPOINTMENTS IN
THE FILM POSITION IN THE
COMMITTEE THAT COUNCILMEMBER
RINCK CHAIRS AND IT'S TIED TO
OED. AS WE KNOW ABOUT THE ARTS,
ARTS ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF
OUR CULTURE, BUT THEY ARE ALSO
AN IMPORTANT ECONOMIC DRIVER AND
ENGINE, AND THERE'S CERTAINLY A
SHARED ROLE WITH THE OFFICE OF
ARTS AND CULTURE, OFFICE OF
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND OTHERS.
THAT WAS MY LONG PREAMBLE. I
WONDER IF I CAN TURN TO YOU TO
ASK FOR YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE
FILM INDUSTRY AS PART OF THE
ARTS INDUSTRY, AND I WILL ALSO
SAY, I LOVE WHEN I GET A CHANCE
TO HEAR YOU TALK ABOUT HOW ARTS
FUNCTION AS AN ECONOMIC DRIVER.
I WILL SEE IF YOU WANT TO OFFER
ANY COMMENTS ON EITHER OF THOSE
TWO THINGS BEFORE WE HEAD TO A
VOTE.
>> EXCELLENT, THANK YOU SO MUCH,
COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER. MY
THOUGHTS ARE SPINNING IN
DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. ONE, I'M
INCREDIBLY EXCITED YOU WILL BE
HEAR FROM SOME OF OUR INCOMING
SEATTLE ARTS COMMISSIONERS AND
ALSO ONE OF OUR FANTASTIC
COCHAIRS. I LOVE OUR
COMMISSIONER ENERGY NOW BECAUSE
THEY ASKED EXACTLY WHAT YOU JUST
ASKED THERE. WHY ARE WE NOT
MEETING MORE CLOSELY WITH OTHER
COMMISSIONS? PARTICULARLY AT THE
INTERSECTION OF ARTS AND
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT? MY
RESPONSE EARLIER WAS, WE DON'T
DO THIS ALONE. I DON'T TAKE ON
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THIS ROLE
THINKING THEY, AS AN INDIVIDUAL,
WILL BE THE ANSWER TO THE ARTS
AND CULTURE SECTOR. I NEED A
STRONG SEATTLE COMMISSIONER BASE
BEHIND ME. WE ARE REFLECTIVE OF
THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE. WHAT I
HAVE HEARD THROUGH COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT SERVING ON MAYOR THE
ONE IN WHICH EVEN THE WAY THAT
FILM HAS BEEN SPLIT ACROSS OUR
DEPARTMENTS, AND ASKING THAT
QUESTION OF WHO DO I GO TO? WHO
IS LOOKING OUT FOR ME? WHERE ARE
MY NEEDS MET? THAT'S ONE OF THE
MANY REASONS I'M VERY EXCITED
TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH THE
INTERIM DIRECTOR AND HAVE THE
SUPPORT OF THE MAYOR'S OFFICE.
WE NEED TO GET IN FRONT OF
CREATIVE ECONOMY. WE CAN NO
LONGER HAVE THIS KIND OF EGO WAR
OF THIS PART IS THIS AND THAT IS
THIS, AND I'M VERY EXCITED THAT
THE MAYOR'S OFFICE IS SO
SUPPORTIVE IN PUSHING DIRECTOR
YARSI AND I TO BRING OUR TEAMS
TOGETHER, TO DEVELOP, I KNOW IT
DOESN'T SOUND LIKE A RADICAL
PLACE, BUT IT STARTS WITH A
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING SO
WE ARE ACCOUNTABLE AND LAYING
OUT FOR THE PUBLIC TO SUNS WHERE
THEIR TAX DOLLARS ARE GOING AND
WHAT ADVOCACY LOOKS LIKE, AND
THE PROCESS IN FORM WHAT CAN WE
DO SO THAT WE ARE NOT INVESTING
IN PARTIAL POLICIES OR EVEN
PARTIAL REAL ESTATE STRATEGIES.
COMING FROM THE OFFICE OF
PLANNING AND COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT, SOMETHING THEY AM
INCREDIBLY EXCITED ABOUT IS HOW
WE CAN LOCATE ARTS AND CULTURE
STRATEGIES INTO OUR REAL ESTATE
STRATEGIES. SO MUCH ABOUT FILM
AS ONE OF THE COMMENTERS TODAY
NOTED IS ABOUT SPACE. HOW CAN WE
THINK OF OUR CONVERSATIONS
AROUND UNDERUTILIZED SPACE.
CHANGING AROUND BIG BOX STORES
AND ACTUALLY USE THAT AS A
CREATIVE ECONOMY STRATEGY TO
ATTRACT DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES? WE
WOULDN'T BE THE FIRST TO DO
THAT. SO MANY EXAMPLES OF OTHER
U.S. CITIES RATHER THAN
INVESTING IN A SPECIFIC
TECHNOLOGY, WE CAN THINK OF THE
INCUBATION OF AN INDUSTRY. I'M
VERY EXCITED TO BE INVOLVED
PREVIOUSLY IN MY CAPACITY ON THE
NORTH AURORA PLANNING. THERE'S
SO MUCH OPPORTUNITY AS WE THINK
OF AURORA AND THE INDUSTRY -- AS
A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT, I WORKED
AS A PRODUCTION ASSISTANT OFF OF
AURORA FOR A NOT VERY GOOD
TELEVISION SHOW ON PBS CALLED
BIS KIDS, PRODUCERS OF BILL NYE
THE SCIENCE GUY TRYING TO TEACH
CHILDREN ABOUT FINANCIAL
LITERACY. SORRY, THAT WAS TOO
MUCH TO SAY. THAT WAS PART OF MY
EXPERIENCE, CATCHING THE BUS,
BEING A PRODUCTION ASSISTANT,
AND SEEING THIS LIFE THAT COULD
EXIST BEHIND THESE WINDOWLESS
BIG BOX SPACES, SO I ASK A
DREAM, WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE
TO CREATE A BESPOKE REAL ESTATE
STRATEGY THAT CAN MEET OUR NEEDS
OF FILM, BUT ALSO MEET OUR NEEDS
OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND
TRANSFORMATION? I DO BELIEVE
THAT'S POSSIBLE. WE ARE A CITY
THAT HAS INCUBATED SO MUCH, AND
IT'S TIME FOR FILM AND OTHER
CREATIVE INDUSTRIES TO ALSO BE
BROUGHT TO THAT TABLE.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I REALLY
APPRECIATE THAT RESPONSE, AND I
APPRECIATE GETTING A WINDOW INTO
YOUR FANTASTIC CREATIVITY
INTERIM DIRECTOR NGUYEN. ALL
RIGHT, LET'S MOVE FORWARD SO I
CAN STOP SAYING INTERIM DIRECTOR
NGUYEN. I MOVE THAT THE
COMMITTEE RECOMMEND CONFIRMATION
OF APPOINTMENT 03471. IS THERE
IS A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> IT'S MOVED AND SECONDED TO
RECOMMEND CONFIRMATION OF
APPOINTMENT 03471. ARE THERE ANY
FURTHER COMMENTS? OKAY, WILL THE
CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON
THE RECOMMENDATION TO CONFIRM
03471?
>> COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ?
>> AYE.
>> RINCK?
>> YES.
>> LIN.
>> YES.
>> FOSTER.
>> Y'ALL WERE QUIET. [ APPLAUSE
]
>> THE MOTION CARRIES, AND THE
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION THAT
CITY COUNCIL CONFIRM APPOINTMENT
03471, THE APPOINTMENT OF AMY
NGUYEN AS THE DIRECTOR OF THE I
THROUGH 5. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE
READ THEM INTO THE RECORD.
>> AGENDA 2 TWO THROUGH FIVE.
APPOINTMENT 03487 THROUGH 03490,
TERA BEACH, ANNE SHUKLA, MARINA
MARTINEZ AND RAY YANG THROUGH
DECEMBER 31, 2027.
>> FANTASTIC. I WOULD LIKE TO
INVITE UP THE FOUR CANDIDATES
AND THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, KELLY
DAVIDSON, AND THE COCHAIR WHO
WILL PROVIDE A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF
THE ARTS COMMISSION. ONCE YOU
ARE ALL SETTLED, YOU ARE WELCOME
TO BEGIN. IT LOOKS LIKE WE ARE
GETTING THE SLIDES PULLED UP,
AND AS YOU DO THAT, I WILL SAY
WE ARE REALLY EXCITED, AND IT
WAS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO
HEAR FROM INTERIM DIRECTOR
NGUYEN ABOUT THE ROLE OF
COMMISSIONS. IT WAS A GREAT
PRELUDE INTO DOING THESE
COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS. I'M
REALLY EXCITED TO HAVE YOU ALL
HERE TODAY. I WILL JUST SAY, IN
ADVANCE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR
SERVICE. I MYSELF WAS A
COMMISSIONER, NOT THE ARTS
COMMISSION, BUT I THINK IT'S AN
IMPORTANT WAY TO ENGAGE WITH OUR
COMMITTEES AND MAKE SURE THAT
CITY GOVERNMENT HAS A STRONG
BRIDGE. I'M GRATEFUL TO EACH OF
YOU FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO
SERVE. AND WE ARE GETTING THOSE
MICS WORKING. WITH WILL BE AT
EASE AS WE GET THE TECHNOLOGY
SET UP.
>> OH, IT'S ON. DO YOU WANT US
TO JUMP IN WITH INTRODUCTIONS?
>> THAT'S A FANTASTIC IDEA. WE
WILL KEEP WORKING ON GETTING THE
TECHNOLOGY GOING. WHY DON'T WE
START DOWN AT THAT END OF THE
TABLE, AND WE CAN HAVE SAGE COME
OVER AND HELP WITH THE TECH.
>> HEY, I'M RAY YANG, AND I USE
THEY/THEM PRONOUNS, AND I'M A
SEATTLE RESIDENT, AND I'M
EXCITED TO BE PART OF THE
COMMISSION.
>> I'M MARIANA MARTINEZ,
SHE/HER PRONOUNS. I'M EXTREMELY
EXCITED TO BE HERE.
>> MY NAME IS TERA BEACH. I USE
SHE/HER PRONOUNS. I'M A
LIFELONG SEATTLELITE AND
CURRENTLY ON SEBATICAL.
>> AND I'M ANNE SHUKLA.
>> I'M KELLY DAVIDSON, THE
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF OFFICE OF
ARTS AND CULTURE.
>> I'M THE COCHAIR OF THE ARTS
COMMISSION AND THE SENIOR DIRECT
OF THE COMMUNITY IMPACT AND
FRIENDS OF WATER FRONT PARK.
>> THANK YOU.
>> I THINK WE ARE SET HERE. CAN
I DRIVE? I CAN. WE ARE EXCITED
TO HAVE FOUR CANDIDATES FOR THE
SEATTLE ARTS COMMISSION. WE WILL
TALK ABOUT THE PROCESS AND DO AN
OVERVIEW.
>> WE ARE EXCITED TO BE AT THIS
POINT. WE WERE PRESENTED WITH A
SHORT LIST OF OVER 30, VERY
HIGHLY QUALIFIED, STRONG
CANDIDATES FOR THE FOUR
POSITIONS FOR THE FIRST TIME WE
CONDUCTED A GROUP INTERVIEW
PROCESS, AND THEY WENT THROUGH A
FEW MORE LAYERS THAN IN THE PAST
OF INTERVIEWS. WE ARE EXCITED WE
CAN SIT HERE BEFORE YOU TODAY.
>> OKAY.
>> I'M NOT SURE THE SLIDES ARE
FULLY FOLLOWING ALONG. I WILL DO
A QUICK INTRO. THE SEATTLE ARTS
COMMISSION IS COMPRISED OF 16
MEMBERS, COMMUNITY MEMBER
VOLUNTEERS APPOINTED BY THE
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.
COMMISSIONERS INCLUDE ARTISTS,
ART PROFESSIONALS, AND OTHERS
WITH STRONG LINKS TO THE SEATTLE
ARTS COMMITTEE. THE COMMISSION
CREATES ACCESS FOR EQUITABLE
PARTICIPATION IN THE ARTS AND
FOSTERING ARTS ENGAGEMENT FOR
ALL RESIDENTS. THERE'S THREE
SUBCOMMITTEES OF THE ARTS
COMMISSION, WHICH ARE THE
CREATIVE PLACE MAKING COMMITTEE,
AND THE CULTURAL INVESTMENT
COMMITTEE AND THE PUBLIC
ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
>> ABOUT EACH OF THE COMMITTEES,
EACH MEMBER SITS ON AT LEAST ONE
OF THE SUBCOMMITTEES. WORKING AT
THE INTERSECTION OF ARTS AND
CREATIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO
ADVOCATE FOR PLACE-BASED
COMMUNITY INVESTMENTS AND IN THE
OFFICE OF ARTS AND CULTURE
AROUND THE ISSUE OF CULTURE
SPACE. THE CIC PROVIDES GUIDANCE
ON THE GRANT PROCESSES AND
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND
ADVOCATES FOR CULTURAL
INVESTMENTS, AND FINALLY THE
PUBLIC ARTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
OR PAAC WORKS TO REMOVE PUBLIC
ART PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS,
DEVELOP AND AMEND THE MUNICIPAL
ART PLAN, AND ADVOCATE FOR A
PERCENT OF ART PROJECTS AND
PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS. THE
PAAC SUPPORTS THE DEVELOPMENT OF
ART IN PUBLIC PLACES INCLUDING
PARKS, LIBRARIES, COMMUNITY
CENTERS, ROADWAYS, BRIDGES, AND
OTHER VENUES FOR THE CITIZENS
LIVES AND TO GIVE VOICE TO
ARTISTS.
>> WE ARE GOING TO INTRODUCE OUR
CANDIDATES ANNE SHUKLA FROM
ALLEN FAMILY PHILANTHROPIES WITH
20 YEARS IN THE NONPROFIT
SECTOR. SHE HOLD A BA IN PUBLIC
COMMUNICATIONS. ANNE HAS SPENT
TWO DECADES WORKING IN VARIOUS
ROLES AND TAUGHT COURSES IN
STRATEGIC PLANNING AND PROGRAM
EVALUATION AT SEATTLE
UNIVERSITY'S GRADUATE PROGRAMS
AND ARTS FUND BOARD LEADERSHIP
TRAINING PROGRAM. HER ART SPANS
ORGANIZATIONAL ASSESSMENT,
STRATEGICAL PLANNING AND IS
GROUNDED IN THE LONG-STANDING
ART ACCESS AND YOUTH
DEVELOPMENT.
>> NEXT IS MARIANA MARTINEZ, THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL
CULTURAL AMERICANO. DEDICATED
TWO DECADES TO LEADING POSITIVE
CHANGE COMMITTED TO CLOSING THE
DISPARITY GAP WITH
DISENFRANCHISED GROUPS LOCALLY,
NATIONALLY, AND GLOBALLY. TWO
IMPORTANT ASPECTS HAVE BEEN HER
WORK IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT
ADVANCING INCLUSIVE POLICIES AND
COMMUNITY ADVOCACY AND LARGE
SCALE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT CREATING
FOR EQUITABLE AND REPRESENTATIVE
COMMUNITIES. CITIZENS,
DIPLOMACY, MOBILIZING THE LATINO
VOTE AND HELPING EMERGING LATINO
LEADERS FOR CONGRESSIONAL
OPPORTUNITIES.
>> WE HAVE RAY YANG AS A
NONBINARY HAYES -- NONBINARY
ASIAN AMERICAN -- WORKING IN
COMMUNITY CENTERS LEADING
OUTREACH AND PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT. TEACHING GRADUATE
COURSES AND SERVING AS AN ARTS
ADMINISTRATOR WITHIN PUBLIC
SCHOOLS. THEY ARE CURRENTLY THE
DIRECTOR OF EQUITY, DIVERSITY,
AND INCLUSION AND SPECIAL
INITIATIVES AND TRAINED WITH
NATIONAL SEED PROJECT.
>> AND FINALLY, LAST BUT NOT
LEAST, TERA BEACH, A SEATTLE
BASED PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND
NONPROFIT LEADER WITH MORE THAN
TWO DECADES EXPERIENCE INVESTING
CULTURAL INVESTMENT, EQUITY, AND
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. LIFELONG
IN SEATTLE, SPENT 20 YEARS IN
THE OFFICE OF CONGRESSMAN
McDERMOTT, ULTIMATELY SERVING AS
DISTRICT DIRECTOR. SHE LED THE
EFFORT TO ESTABLISH THE NGUYEN
LUKE MUSEUM SECURING NATIONAL
RECOGNITION FOR ASIAN AMERICAN
CULTURAL PRESERVATION. SHE
PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR OF SPECTRUM DANCE
THEATER AND CONTINUES TO SUPPORT
THE ROLE OF ARTS AND CULTURE IN
SEATTLE'S CIVIC WAY.
>> WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT OUR
NEW COMMISSIONERS AND EXPERIENCE
THEY BRING, AND WE ARE HAPPY TO
ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY
HAVE IF YOU WANT TO
>> THANK YOU, FIRST, LET ME SAY,
HOW LUCKY ARE WE? IT'S A
PLEASURE TO HEAR ABOUT THE DEPTH
OF THE EXPERIENCE EACH OF YOU
BRINGS. I FEEL REALLY -- I SAID
IT BEFORE WHEN WE READ YOUR
BIOS. I FEEL HONORED EACH OF YOU
WOULD CHOOSE TO ENGAGE IN PUBLIC
SERVICE IN THIS WAY. I WANT TO
EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION FOR YOUR
PREVIOUS WORK AND FOR ALL OF THE
WORK THAT IS YET TO COME WITH
THIS ITERATION OF THE ARTS
COMMISSION. JUST REALLY, REALLY
WANT TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION.
COLLEAGUES, I WILL TURN TO YOU
TO SEE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS
FOR OUR APPOINTEES OR NOMINEES
RATHER. COUNCILMEMBER RINCK?
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR. THANK YOU
ALL FOR VOLUNTEERING YOUR TIME
TO SERVE ON THIS COMMISSION AND
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK IN THE
COMMUNITY. I WOULD ECHO WHAT THE
CHAIR STATED. YOU HAVE ALL BEEN
INCREDIBLE LEADERS IN THE
COMMUNITY, AND I FEEL LUCKY YOU
WILL ALL BE JOINING THE
COMMISSION. A QUESTION FOR ALL
OF THE PROPOSED APPOINTEES, AND
WE HEARD IT MENTIONED A LITTLE
BIT IN THE APPOINTMENT PROCESS
FOR THE INTERIM DIRECTOR
PREVIOUSLY, BUT SOME DISCUSSION
ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A
WORKING ARTIST IN THE CITY AND
HAVE A SUSTAINABLE CAREER IN THE
ARTS. I'M WONDERING IF YOU CAN
SPEAK TO A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT
YOU BELIEVE THE CITY CAN DO IN
BUILDING SUSTAINABLE CAREERS IN
THE ECONOMY, ARTS AND CULTURE
WORK AND HOW YOU WOULD LIKE TO
BRING YOUR ADVOCACY FOR THAT TO
THE COMMISSION.
>> DO YOU WANT TO START?
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE
QUESTION. OKAY. I WILL START.
WELL, FIRST IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO
BE HERE. I THINK VOLUNTEERING
TIME, I THINK IT IS ABSOLUTELY A
PRIVILEGE TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE
OR GIVE AND CONTRIBUTE WITH OUR
SKILLS. I THINK THIS POSITION, I
SEE IT AS A BRIDGE, AND
ABSOLUTELY A POSITION OF
ADVOCACY, ENSURING WE ARE
REFLECTING THE COMMUNITIES THAT
WE SERVE. SO TO ME, WE START
WITH HEARING THE VOICES OF THE
PEOPLE WE SERVE, NOT JUST THAT
WE REFLECT THE CITY OR THE
POPULATION THAT WE SERVE, BUT
ALSO WHO IS AT THE TABLE AND HOW
ARE WE HEARING AND WHAT ARE WE
DOING? AS WE HEARD EARLIER, I
THINK UNDERSTANDING THE
DIFFERENT INTERSECTIONS IS
PRIORITY. WE CAN'T DO THIS
ALONE. AS MUCH TALENT AS WE CAN
BRING TO THE TABLE, IT'S
IMPORTANT WE WORK WITH DIFFERENT
DEPARTMENTS. I WOULD SAY AT THE
CORE OF ARTS AND CULTURE IS A
DOOR TO CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND
DEMOCRACY. I DO SEE THIS AS AN
OPPORTUNITY TO NOT JUST LISTEN,
BUT START THERE AND MOVE INTO
ACTION. WE ARE NOT ALONE, SO I
DON'T THINK -- I THINK IT'S
ABOUT HOW WE CAN COLLABORATE
WITH DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS AND
HOW WE CAN ENSURE THAT OUR
COMMUNITIES ARE REFLECTED IN THE
WORK THAT WE DO. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> I FEEL VERY LUCKY TO BE
SITTING HERE IN SUCH ESTEEMED
COMPANY. I THINK ONE THING THAT
COMES TO MIND FOR ME AS SPENDING
MY CAREER TRYING TO UNDERSTAND
AND EVALUATE THE IMPACT OF THE
ARTS IS THAT THERE'S SO MANY
BENEFITS HEARD. WE HEARD
DIRECTOR NGUYEN SPEAK ABOUT
ECONOMIC DRIVERS. WE KNOW ANYONE
WHO HAS EXPERIENCED THE ARTS,
THERE'S CERTAINLY INNER
PERSONAL BENEFITS OF
PARTICIPATING IN THE ARTS AND
COMMUNITY AND CULTURAL BENEFITS.
ONE THING THEY GRAPPLE WITH A
LOT IS HOW TO MAKE SURE THAT
EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO THE
BENEFITS, UNDERSTANDING THAT THE
ARTS CAN IMPACT INDIVIDUALS
DIFFERENTLY, AND SO, WHAT IS
THAT UNDERLYING FACTOR THAT
MEANS ARTISTS CAN HAVE
OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK IN THE
COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY LIVE AND
THAT FOLKS HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO
ACCESS ART THAT IS RELEVANT AND
IMPORTANT TO THEM AND WHERE ARE
THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE
SUPPORTING AND KIND OF THE
BACKBONE THAT ALLOWS FOLKS TO BE
ABLE TO ACCESS THE
OPPORTUNITIES. SO TO ME, IT
REALLY COMES DOWN TO ACCESS, AND
HOW DO WE LOOK AT BARRIERS TO
THE ACCESS IN THE ARTS AND HOW
DO WE BREAK THOSE DOWN FOR THE
FOLKS IN OUR COMMUNITY?
>> I THINK FOR ME, HAVING
GOVERNMENTAL EXPERIENCE AS WELL
AS BEING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
OF A NONPROFIT THAT HIRED
ARTISTS, AT SPECTRUM DANCE
THEATER, WE HAD OUR DANCE
COMPANY AS INDEPENDENT
CONTRACTORS, AND REALLY THINKING
ABOUT THE ARTISTS AS
INDIVIDUALS, AND LIVABILITY,
WAGES AND HAVING ALSO WORKED FOR
JIM McDERMOTT AS LONG AS I DID,
I REALLY THINK ABOUT HEALTH CARE
FOR ARTISTS. IF THEY ARE NOT
HEALTHY AND WE ARE NOT TAKING
CARE OF THEM, THEY CAN'T DO
THEIR JOB. IF THEY ARE NOT DOING
THEIR JOB, THEY ARE NOT MAKING A
LIVING. THE ENTIRE SYSTEM IS
COMPLICATED, RIGHT? AND
RESOURCES ONLY GO SO FAR, BUT I
THINK THAT IF WE REALLY THINK
ABOUT HOW TO EMBRACE THE
COMMUNITY AS INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS,
EMBRACE THEIR WORK, AND REALLY
ELEVATE THEM AS TRUE
PROFESSIONALS AS THEY ARE IS
SOMETHING I THINK ABOUT QUITE A
BIT. I'M EXCITED TO BE HERE
WITH EVERYONE AND EXCITED FOR
THE LEADERSHIP OF THE INCOMING
DIRECTOR NGUYEN, AND THANK YOU
FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU.
>> YES, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR
THIS OPPORTUNITY AND THIS CHANCE
TO BE ABLE TO SERVE THE CITY AND
TO WORK IN THE ARTS. YOU KNOW,
MY BACKGROUND IS PRIMARILY AS AN
EDUCATOR AND AS AN ARTS
EDUCATOR, WORKED AS A TEACHING
ARTIST IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT
SPACES, AND WITH THAT IN MIND, I
JUST THINK OFTEN TIMES ABOUT HOW
ARTISTS ARE GOING TO CONNECT
WITH YOUTH AND ESPECIALLY FOR
MANY ARTISTS, THEY BECOME
TEACHING ARTISTS IN ORDER TO
SUPPORT THEMSELVES AS ARTISTS AT
THE SAME TIME. WHERE ARE THE
INVESTMENTS TO BE ABLE TO
SUPPORT THOSE ARTIST EDUCATORS,
TEACHING ARTISTS, ART TEACHERS,
HOWEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT OR
FRAME IT, AND REALLY, YOU KNOW
PROVIDE THEM WITH THE RESOURCES
TO BE A ABLE TO DO THE GOOD WORK
THEY ARE DOING AS ARTISTS, AND
ALSO, I DO THINK IT'S SO
IMPORTANT THAT ARTISTS ARE BEING
CONNECTED TO YOUTH WHETHER K-12
COMMUNITIES OR FAMILIES.
BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THERE'S -- I
THINK SUCH A MISCONCEPTION
STILL, BROADLY, IN SOCIETY
AROUND ARTISTS AS STARVING
ARTISTS, AND THERE'S NOT AN
UNDERSTANDING OF HOW ARTISTS AND
CREATIVES WORK ACROSS ALL FIELDS
AND INDUSTRIES AND CREATE SKILLS
THAT ARE SO IMPORTANT AND SO
VITAL, AND SO, YEAH, WHAT ARE
THE INVESTMENTS THAT WE CAN MAKE
AS A CITY IN ORDER TO SUPPORT
THOSE TEACHING ARTISTS AND ALSO
CLASSROOM TEACHERS WHO ARE
TEACHING AROUND THE ARTS?
>> THANK YOU ALL. I REALLY
APPRECIATED THE ANSWERS TO THE
QUESTIONS, AND SO EXCITED TO
MOVE THE APPOINTMENTS FORWARD.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. THANK
YOU, CHAIR.
>> THANK YOU. COLLEAGUES ANY
FURTHER QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT,
FANTASTIC. WITH THAT, WE WILL
MOVE ON WITH A VOTE TO OUR
APPOINTMENTS. CLERK, CAN YOU
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL? DO I NEED
TO MOVE IT? SORRY, I LOST MY
PAGE. ONE SECOND. WITH THAT, I
RECOMMEND CONFIRMATION OF 03487
THROUGH 03490. IS THERE A
SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> ALL RIGHT, MOVED AND SECONDED
TO RECOMMEND CONFIRMATION OF THE
APPOINTMENTS. ANY FURTHER
COMMENTS? WILL THE CLERK CALL
THE ROLE ON THE CONFIRMATION OF
APPOINTMENTS?
>> COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ?
>> AYE.
>> RINCK?
>> YES.
>> LIN?
>> YES.
>> CHAIR FOSTER?
>> YES.
>> THERE FOUR IN FAVOR, NONE
OPPOSED.
>> FANTASTIC. MOTION CARRIES.
THANK YOU, MOTION CARRIES, AND
THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
WILL BE SENT TO THE SEATTLE CITY
COUNCIL MEETING. OUR NEXT ITEMS
OF BUSINESS. 6 THROUGH 12. WILL
THE CLERK READ 6 THROUGH 12 INTO
THE RECORD?
>> AGENDA 6 THROUGH 12
APPOINTMENT 03480 THROUGH 03486
OF ELISABETH BENHAM, AYALA THAT
DIGGS, SASHA WASSERSTROM, AND
ANDREW ASHIOFU.
>> I INVITE YOU TO THE TABLE FOR
THE BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE
COMMISSION, AND ELISABETH
BENHAM, ONE OF THE CANDIDATES.
ONCE YOU ARE SETTLED, LET US
KNOW IF YOU ARE SUPPORT. NO
SLIDES?
>> NO SLIDES.
>> WELCOME LAURA AND ELISABETH.
>> OKAY, GREAT. THANK YOU SO
MUCH, COMMITTEE CHAIR FOSTER AND
THE REST OF THE MEMBERS FOR
HAVING US TODAY. I AM LAURA
JENKINS, AND SHE/HER PRONOUNS,
AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
COORDINATOR. I STAFF THE
PEOPLE'S ACADEMY FOR COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT AND RENTERS
COMMISSION. I WILL PROVIDE A
LITTLE BACKGROUND ABOUT THE
RENTERS COMMISSION, AND THEN WE
WILL GET INTO MORE INFORMATION
ABOUT THE NEW APPOINTEES. SO TO
START OFF, THOUGH, I DID JUST
WANT TO THANK YOU, COMMITTEE
CHAIR FOSTER AND YOUR STAFF FOR
MOVING FORWARD THESE
APPOINTMENTS SO QUICKLY AND JUST
REALLY APPRECIATE THE
PARTNERSHIP ON THIS. ALSO, THANK
YOU TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AS
WELL FOR MOVING FORWARD THEIR
APPOINTMENTS. SO THE CITY OF
SEATTLE ESTABLISHED THE SEATTLE
RENTER'S COMMISSION IN 2017.
THE 15-MEMBER COMMISSION IS
RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING
INFORMATION, ADVICE, AND COUNSEL
TO THE MAYOR AND DEPARTMENTS
CONCERNING ISSUES AND POLICIES
AFFECTING RENTERS. UNTIL
OPERATION OF SOCIAL HOUSING
BEGINS, THE RENTERS' COMMISSION
ALSO MAKES APPOINTMENTS TO SEVEN
SEATS ON THE SEATTLE HOUSING
SOCIAL BOARD AS NEEDED. ALL
MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION MUST
BE RENTERS IN SEATTLE AT THE
TIME OF APPOINTMENT AND
THROUGHOUT THEIR TERMS. FOR A
PROLONGED PERIOD, THERE WAS A --
THERE WEREN'T APPOINTMENTS
MOVING FORWARD FOR THE
COMMISSION, AND SO THERE WAS
REALLY LOW CAPACITY. IN JULY
LAST YEAR, THERE WAS A BUNCH OF
APPOINTMENTS THAT WERE MOVED
FORWARD. THANK YOU FOR THAT.
SINCE THEM, THE COMMISSION HAS
BEEN BUILDING CAPACITY, AND MORE
RECENTLY THEY HAVE ESTABLISHED
COMMITTEES WHICH INCLUDE A
PARTNERSHIPS AND RELATIONSHIPS
COMMITTEE, OUTREACH AND
ENGAGEMENT, ADVOCACY AND POLICY,
COMMISSION DEVELOPMENT, AND THEN
THERE'S ALSO AN EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE THAT IS MADE UP OF
PEOPLE FROM EACH OF THE
COMMITTEES AND THE TWO COCHAIRS
ADDS WELL. AND ONE OF THE RULES
OF THOSE COMMITTEES AS THEY ARE
BEING ESTABLISHED IS TO ALSO
MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS AROUND THE
$50,000 THAT COUNCILMEMBER
JUAREZ PUT FORWARD IN AN
AMENDMENT LAST YEAR FOR
STRATEGIC PLAN BY THE END OF
2026, SO THAT IS SOME OF THEIR
MORE LIKE CURRENT WORK ITEMS,
AND THEY ALSO ESTABLISH FROM
TIME TO TIME AS NEEDED DIFFERENT
WORK GROUPS AROUND DIFFERENT
TOPICS WHERE THEY MAY BE
INTERESTED IN WRITING A LETTER
OR PURSUING AND RESEARCHING A
TOPIC IN MORE DEPTH, AND THAT'S
THE COMMISSION'S KIND OF
CURRENT WORK, AND THEN TODAY WE
ARE BRINGING THREE APPOINTMENTS
AND FOUR REAPPOINTMENTS IN FRONT
OF THE COMMITTEE. AND AFTER
ELISABETH SPEAKS, I WILL PROVIDE
STATEMENTS FROM TWO THE OTHER
NEW APPOINTEES WHO WERE UNABLE
TO MAKE IT TODAY, AND THEN JUST
WANTED TO MENTION THAT THE FOUR
PEOPLE WHO ARE BEING REAPPOINTED
OR WHO ARE UP FOR REAPPOINTMENT
WERE PEOPLE WHO WERE APPOINTED
LAST JULY AS WELL. THEY WERE
SERVING TERMS THAT WERE VACANT.
THAT'S WHY IT WAS SUCH A SHORT
PERIOD OF TIME, BUT ALL
INTERESTED IN REAPPOINTMENT TO
THE COMMISSION.
>> OKAY. HELLO. MY NAME IS
ELISABETH BENHAM, A RENTER IN
DISTRICT THREE. I HAVE BEEN IN
SEATTLE ABOUT THREE YEARS NOW,
AND I HAVE MOVED EVERY YEAR
MAINLY DUE TO UNAFFORDABLE RENT
INCREASES AND THEN JUST A
PLETHORA OF HIDDEN FEES THAT
SEEM TO MULTIPLY EVERY YEAR.
I'M FAIRLY FAMILIAR WITH THE
SEATTLE RENTAL LANDSCAPE AS A
TENANT AND ALSO MY PROFESSIONAL
WORK CURRENTLY AN ASSET
MANAGEMENT WITH THE CITY'S
HOUSING. I WORK ON THE LAND USE
SIDE AND COMPLIANCE SIDE,
OVERSEEING BUILDINGS FOR MFTE,
MHA, INCENTIVE ZONING. A LOT OF
TIME IS SPENT REVIEWING LEASING
AND WORKING WITH PROPERTY
MANAGERS ON THE GROUND AND THE
TENANTS IN THESE BUILDINGS. I
HEAR FROM TENANTS EVERY DAY FROM
ACROSS THE CITY, MARKET RATE AND
RESTRICTED UNITS ABOUT THE
CHALLENGES THEY FACE AND RENT
INCREASES, DEALING WITH HIDDEN
FEES, RENT TERMS, AND THINGS. I
FEEL LIKE I HAVE A LOT OF
KNOWLEDGE AND INSIGHT THEY CAN
CONTRIBUTE TO THE RENTER'S
COMMISSIONER AND JUST GENERALLY
PROTECTING RENTERS IN SEATTLE.
>> OKAY, I WILL MOVE FORWARD
WITH READING THE STATEMENTS FROM
THE TWO POTENTIAL COMMISSIONERS
WHO WERE UNABLE TO ATTEND TODAY.
FIRST IS AYALA THAT DIGGS. DIGGS
IS COMMITTED TO DEMYSTIFYING --
VIEWS VARIETY OF LANGUAGE
GENDERS IDENTITIES AND
EXPERIENCES AS A STRENGTH OF A
NEIGHBORHOOD. ALANNA HAS AN
EXTENSIVE BACK GO UNDERSTOOD IN
COMMUNICATIONS AND HAS BEEN
INSTRUMENTAL IN THE PROJECTS
INCREASING ACCESS TO HEALTH
CARE, FUNDING, AND ECONOMIC
OPPORTUNITIES TO UNDERSERVED
COMMUNITIES. SHE HAS DRIVEN TO
BOOST INCLUSIVITY FOR RENTERS
SPEAKING LANGUAGES OTHER THAN
ENGLISH AND DEDICATED TO HELPING
ALL RENTERS UNDERSTAND THEIR
RIGHTS AND ACCESS TO SAFE AND
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND ALANNA
ALSO ADDED THIS PIECE FROM HER
PERSPECTIVE. I WISH I COULD BE
WITH YOU ALL TODAY, BUT AT THIS
MOMENT, I'M SUPPORTING A GOOD
FRIEND AT A LONG-ANTICIPATED
WEDDING. TO MY FELLOW
COMMISSIONERS, I LOOK FORWARD TO
MEETING WITH YOU AND WORK
TOGETHER TO MAKING SEATTLE A
LIVABLE CITY. I TAKE THIS
POSITION SERIOUSLY AND HOPE TO
SHOW THAT YOUR TRUST IN ME IS
WELL PLACED. TO SEATTLE RENTERS,
I LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING YOU.
>> THE OTHER NOMINEE IS SASHA
WASSERSTROM. THIS IS FROM
SASHA'S PERSPECTIVE. I'M
EXCITED TO SERVE ON THE SEATTLE
RENTERS COMMISSION BECAUSE I
BELIEVE THE VOICES OF RENTERS
MUST NOT ONLY BE HEARD, THEY
MUST SHAPE POLICY. IN SEATTLE,
RENTERS MAKE UP A MAJORITY OF
OUR RESIDENTS AND ARE CONSTANTLY
IMPACTED BY THE WHIMS OF
POWERFUL LANDLORDS. HOUSING
POLICY TOO OFTEN FEELS REACTIVE,
DELAYED OR DISCONNECTED FROM THE
URGENCY MANY OF US EXPERIENCE
MONTH TO MONTH. I'M MOTIVATED
TO SERVE BECAUSE I BELIEVE THE
COMMISSION PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE
IN ENSURING THAT RENTER
PROTECTIONS ARE NOT SYMBOLIC
GESTURES BUT DURABLE,
ENFORCEABLE, AND RESPONSIVE TO
REAL CONDITIONS ON THE GROUND.
MY BACKGROUND IN PUBLIC POLICY
AND COALITION LEADERSHIP SHOWS
HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO BRIDGE
LIVED EXPERIENCE WITH
INSTITUTIONAL PROCESS. I WANT TO
ENSURE THAT RENTER PERSPECTIVES
ARE TRANSLATED INTO CLEAR
RECOMMENDATIONS. MEASURABLE
ACCOUNTABILITY, AND POLICIES
THAT REFLECT THE DIVERSITY OF
SEATTLE'S NEIGHBORHOODS AND
IDENTITIES. SERVING ON THE
COMMISSION WILL BE CONTRIBUTING
MEANINGFULLY. I'M THRILLED TO
BE JOINING THE COMMISSION AND
LOOK FORWARD TO THE GREAT WORK
WE WILL BE DOING TOGETHER.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I REALLY
APPRECIATE IT. I KNOW FOLKS
WANTED TO BE HERE TODAY, BUT
SOMETIMES IT'S HARD TO MAKE IT
TO COUNCIL. I'M THANKFUL TO YOU
FOR READING THE STATEMENTS ON
BEHALF OF OUR POTENTIAL
APPOINTEES. THANK YOU FOR BEING
HERE. I'M EXCITED FOR YOUR WORK
AND YOUR LIVED EXPERIENCE AS
WELL. I'M EXCITED FOR THE DEPTH
AND KNOWLEDGE THAT WILL BE ON
THE RENTERS' COMMISSION. DO ANY
OF MY FELLOW COMMITTEE MEMBERS
HAVE QUESTIONS? CHECKING ON
ZOOM. OKAY. OH, I DO SEE
QUESTIONS ON ZOOM. COUNCILMEMBER
LIN, AND THEN WE WILL GO OVER TO
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK.
>> NO QUESTIONS, BUT JUST SO
EXCITED TO -- AND THANKFUL THAT
YOU ARE WILLING TO STEP UP FOR
THIS, ELISABETH, AND I KNOW THAT
YOUR EXPERIENCE IS GOING TO BE
SUPER, SUPER HELPFUL, AND JUST
SUPER EXCITED. EXCITED TO SEE
YOUR RESUME THAT YOU ARE
INTERESTED IN RUBIX CUBES AND
JUGGLING AND ROCK CLIMBING.
ALWAYS SOMETHING NEW. ANYWAY
THANK YOU FOR STEPPING UP.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER LIN.
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK?
>> NO QUESTIONS. I SAW YOU, I
WAS LIKE, I KNOW YOU, I SAW YOU
ON THE BUS ONE TIME, AND WE HAD
AN AMAZING TALK ABOUT MFTE. SO
EXCITED YOU ARE BRINGING YOUR
EXPERTISE TO THE RENTERS'
COMMISSION AND I DON'T HAVE
QUESTIONS TODAY BECAUSE I REALLY
APPRECIATED THE ENGAGEMENT MY
OFFICE HAS BEEN ABLE TO HAVE
WITH THE RENTERS' COMMISSION,
REALLY LEANING INTO WHAT OUR
COMMISSIONS ARE SET UP TO DO, A
BODY TO GO TO FOR CONSULTING ON
POLICY, GETTING DIRECTION AND
JUST THAT PERSPECTIVE. HAVING AN
ACTIVE RENTERS' COMMISSION IS
IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE ARE THE
MAJORITY RENTER CITY. EXCITED TO
SEE THE APPOINTMENTS GO FORWARD
TODAY, SHARE, AND ELISABETH, FOR
YOU TO BRING YOUR EXPERTISE TO
THE COMMISSION. VERY EXCITING.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. THANK
YOU, CHAIR.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH,
COLLEAGUES. ANY FURTHER
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS BEFORE WE
MOVE THIS FOR A VOTE? ALL RIGHT,
I MOVE RECOMMENDATION FOR
CONFIRMATION OF 03480 THROUGH
03486. IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> OKAY, IT'S MOVED AND
SECONDED TO RECOMMEND
CONFIRMATION OF THE
APPOINTMENTS, ANY FURTHER
COMMENTS? WILL THE CLERK PLEASE
CALL THE ROLL ON RECOMMENDATION
TO CONFIRM APPOINTMENTS?
>> COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ?
>> IT LOOKS LIKE HER ZOOM MAY BE
FROZEN. WE WILL COME BACK TO
HER.
>> RINCK.
>> YES.
>> LIN?
>> YES.
>> FOSTER?
>> YES.
>> YEAH, SHE IS STILL FROZEN.
CHAIR, THREE VOTES IN FAVOR,
NONE OPPOSED.
>> THE MOTION CARRIES. THE
COMMITTEE WILL RECK MEN THE
APPOINTMENTS BE CONFIRMED AND
SENT TO THE APRIL 28, 2026,
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. [ APPLAUSE ]
>> OKAY, WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 13 WILL THE
CLERK PLEASE READ 13 INTO THE
RECORD.
>> OFFICE OF HOUSING
PRESENTATION ON STABILIZATION
INVESTMENTS AND INVESTMENTS
DASHBOARD.
>> OKAY, WE HAVE OUR PRESENTERS
JOINING US AT THE TABLE, AND
ONCE YOU ARE ALL SEATED, I WILL
ASK YOU ALL TO UNMUTE AND
INTRODUCE YOURSELVES. AFTER YOU
DO THAT, I WILL GO AHEAD AND
SHARE SOME OPENING COMMENTS. WE
WILL WELCOME COUNCILMEMBER
RIVERA. WELCOME.
>> HI, KELLY, HOW ARE YOU?
>> MADAME CHAIR, JUAREZ HERE,
APOLOGIES. IT KEEPS KICKING ME
OUT. I APOLOGIZE FOR MISSING THE
VOTE.
>> NO WORRIES. WE APOLOGIZE
COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ. WE WERE
GOING TO COME BACK TO YOU, BUT
YOU LOST. WE HAD QUORUM, SO ALL
GOOD OVER HERE.
>> IT'S DONE IT THREE TIMES,
AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING
ON. I APOLOGIZE.
>> WE WILL CHECK IN AND SEND A
MESSAGE AS WELL. WE ARE JUST
GETTING THE TABLE SET UP IN
CHAMBERS.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US AND
NICE TO SEE YOU COUNCILMEMBER
RIVERA. I'M KELLY LARSON FROM
THE OFFICE OF HOUSING. I WILL
HAVE THE REST OF THE TEAM
INTRODUCE THEMSELVES WHILE WE
GET SETTLED STARTING WITH MARIA.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. M A, RIA
DEWEES -- MARIA DEWEES.
>> MADISON KREMER.
>> KATE ALLEN.
>> ROSIE JOE, DIRECTOR OF
CAPITAL INVESTMENTS WITH
HOUSING.
>> WE HAVE A GREAT TEAM OF
PEOPLE HERE TO TALK ABOUT A FEW
THINGS. A COUPLE OF
PRESENTATIONS, DID YOU WANT TO
START US OFF COUNCILMEMBER
FOSTER?
>> APPRECIATE THE MOMENT WE HAD
THERE. THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND
WELCOME, FOLKS. WE ARE EXCITED
TO HAVE YOU HERE TODAY. WE WILL
MAKE SURE WE GET THE SLIDES
WORKING OVER THERE. AS WE DO
THIS, I WILL MAKE SURE MY
COLLEAGUES KNOW HOW WE WILL
APPROACH THE PRESENTATION. THE
OFFICE OF HOUSING IS COMING
TOGETHER WITH A LOT OF FANTASTIC
INFORMATION FOR US. WE ARE GOING
TO START TODAY WITH THE
STATEMENT OF LEGISLATIVE
RESPONSE. WE WILL PAUSE FOR
COMMITTEE MEMBERS TO ASK ANY
QUESTIONS REGARDING THE
RESPONSE, AND THEN FOLLOWING
THAT, WE ARE GOING TO MOVE BACK
OVER TO THE OFFICE OF HOUSING SO
THEY CAN FINISH THEIR
PRESENTATION WITH THE DASHBOARD
THAT WE ARE REALLY EXCITED TO
SEE. I GOT A LITTLE PREVIEW OF
THAT. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE
CLOGS ARE HOLDING QUESTIONS AND
KNOW THAT WE HAVE A TWO-PART
PRESENTATION TODAY. WITH THAT,
MORE CONTEXT. THE BACKGROUND OF
THIS PRESENTATION IS IN RESPONSE
TO SLYOH004-SA. REQUESTING A
REPORT ON THE 2025 OPERATING
STABILIZATION INVESTMENTS AND
THE 2025 DEBT RESTRUCTURING
STABILIZATION INVESTMENTS THIS
PRESENTATION TODAY WILL COVER
SECTIONS ONE AND TWO OF THAT.
THE OH REPORT ON SECTIONS THREE
AND FOUR ARE EXPECTED AND DUE TO
COUNCIL LATER IN THE YEAR BY
JUNE 30th , SO THIS WAS IN
RESPONSE, AND I KNOW
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA HAS JOINED
US, THE SPONSOR OF THE STATEMENT
OF LEGISLATIVE INSENT ALONG WITH
HOLLINGSWORTH, KETTLE, AND
SEVERAL OTHERS NO LONGER ON
COUNCIL. THE PURPOSE IS TO
ENSURE WE HAVE THE INFORMATION
THAT WE NEED BECAUSE WE KNOW
THAT OUR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
PROVIDERS IN SEATTLE AS WELL AS
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROVIDERS
ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE FACED A
GROWING DEBT CRY -- CRISIS. WE
ARE NOT ALONE IN THAT SEEING A
RISE IN MAINTENANCE AND
OPERATING COSTS AND CHALLENGES
FROM THE FINANCING ENVIRONMENT
THAT IMPACT OUR ABILITY TO BUILD
NEW PROJECTS. WHILE THAT IS
COMPLICATED, WE KNOW THAT
SLOWDOWN OF NEW PROJECTS HAS AN
IMPACT ON PROVIDERS. I KNOW THAT
FOR ME, AS CHAIR OF THIS
COMMITTEE, IT'S REALLY
IMPORTANT FOR US TO HOLD A
COUPLE OF CHALLENGING THINGS
TOGETHER. SEATTLE CONTINUES TO
LEAD THE NATION IN BUILDING NEW
AFFORDABLE UNITS, AND WE
CONTINUE TO IMPLEMENT INNOVATIVE
STRATEGIES TO WORK ON LOWERING
COSTS AND STILL HAVE IMMENSE
CHALLENGES PROVIDERS ARE FACING.
IT'S CRITICAL WE WORK TO FIND
THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN NEW
PRODUCTION, MAINTENANCE OF AGING
BUILDINGS AND STABILIZATION OF
EXISTING BUILDINGS AND
PROVIDERS. ALONGSIDE THAT, IT'S
IMPORTANT WE USE THE DATA-DRIVEN
APPROACH AND ARE CLEAR AND HAVE
THE STRONG UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT
IS HAPPENING IN OUR FIELD HERE
IN SEATTLE AND THAT WE ARE
TUNING INTO THAT CONSIDERING
POLICY CHANGES, AND WE USE THAT
DATA TO INFORM US. WITH THAT,
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE
PRESENTATION TODAY, SO WE CAN
UNDERSTAND THE INVESTMENTS THAT
HAVE BEEN MADE, WHAT WE ARE
LEARNING FROM THE INVESTMENTS
AND WHAT WE WILL LEARN LATER IN
THE YEAR WITH THE SUBSEQUENT
REPORTING COMING TO COUNCIL.
WITH THAT, AND NOW WE HAVE THE
SLIDES UP. PRESENTERS, I INVITE
YOU TO BEGIN.
>> COUNCILMEMBER, FOSTER, YOU
PROVIDED SUCH AN OVERVIEW, I
DON'T NEED TO, WE WILL WALK
THROUGH THIS WITH THE STAFF THE
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND THE
INVESTMENTS WE MAKE AROUND
OPERATING FUNDS, AND THEN WE
WILL TALK ABOUT THE OPERATING
STABILIZATION, THE DEBT
RESTRUCTURING INVESTMENTS AND
TAKE PAUSE FOR QUESTIONS, BASED
ON THE RESPONSE TO THIS, AND
THEN JUMP OVER TO THE HOUSING
DOLLARS IN INVESTMENT DASHBOARD.
>> OPERATING FUNDS HAVE BECOME A
GROWING NEED FOR MANY OF
SEATTLE'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING
BUILDINGS. THE RAPID INCREASE IN
SEATTLE AREA INCOMES, LARGELY
DRIVEN BY THE HIGHEST EARNERS
HAS IMPACTED RENTERS AND THEIR
ABILITY TO PAY RENT. THESE
CONDITIONS ARE INCREASING THE
HOUSING COST BURDENS THAT
RENTERS ARE LIVING WITH AS THE
MEDIAN INCOME GROWS RAISING THE
CHART THAT IS USED TO SET RENTS
IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING. FOR MANY
DECADES, RENT REVENUE WAS ENOUGH
TO COVER THE COST FOR HOUSING.
WITH INCREASING EXPENSES,
PARTICULARLY INSURANCE,
UTILITIES, AND PERSONNEL, THIS
IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY
DIFFICULT. HISTORICALLY THE
OFFICE HAS INVESTED MOST OF ITS
FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE PRODUCTION
OF NEW HOUSING. THIS WAS A
STRONG APPROACH. WE WERE VERY
BEHIND AND STILL ARE ON MEETING
OUR COMMUNITY'S HOUSING NEEDS,
BUT IT DID MEAN THAT O.H. WAS
MAKING A TRADEOFF, NOT SERVING
AS THE PRIMARY OPERATION OR
PRESERVATION. WITH PROJECTS
FACING MORE CHALLENGES WITH
INCREASED OPERATING EXPENSES AND
SIGNIFICANT CAPITAL NEEDS, O.H.
HAS LAUNCHED NEW INVESTMENTS
BRINGS OPPORTUNITIES FOR TENANTS
AND BUILDINGS. THE WORK IS A
MAJOR BODY OF WORK. AT THE
OFFICE, ALSO RESPONSIVE TO ONE
COMPONENT OF A STATEMENT OF
LEGISLATIVE INTENT. SOME OF US
ARE FOCUSED ON WRITING THE
REPORT, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF
WORK THAT IS DONE BEHIND THE
SCENES AT THE OFFICE AND WITH
OUR PROVIDERS TO MAKE THESE
DOLLARS LAND IN THE COMMUNITY.
THAT'S WHAT WE WILL BE TALKING
ABOUT TODAY. THE REMAINDER OF
THE RESPONSE AS COUNCILMEMBER
FOSTER MENTIONED, WILL BE COMING
IN JUNE. THAT'S ADDRESSING
LONGER TERM INVESTING AND FUTURE
STRATEGIES. WE HAVE AN ARRAY OF
OPERATING CHALLENGES FACING
PROVIDERS TODAY. WE HAVE
PERSISTENT CHALLENGES WITH THE
GROWING MEDIAN INCOME AND THE
RESULT IN GROWTH IN HOUSING COST
BURDEN. WE HAVE ONGOING
DIFFICULTIES WITH ECONOMIC
VACANCY. THERE ARE ENORMOUS
SHIFTING MARKET CONDITIONS THAT
ARE JUST CONTINUING TO CHANGE
ALL OF THE TIME. WE HAVE AN SEEN
AN INCREASE IN HOUSING,
PARTICULARLY FOR SMALLER
APARTMENTS, IMPACTING A LOT OF
OUR PORTFOLIO, AND HAS CHANGED
THE WAY THAT LEASEUPS ARE
OCCURRING AND THE WAY THAT THE
BUILDINGS ARE PERFORMING. SO
MOVING ON TO STABILIZATION. WE
WILL START WITH THE OVERVIEW OF
WHAT WE HAVE DONE. FOR MANY
DECADES, THE OFFICE PROVIDED
MINIMAL, BUT CONSISTENT
INVESTMENT IN OPERATING. THOSE
WERE PAID FOR BY THE SEATTLE
HOUSING LEVEE. FOR A LONG TIME
SINCE THE BEGINNING, WE HAVE
BEEN INVESTING MINIMAL AMOUNTS,
BUT CONSISTENT, STEADY AMOUNTS
IN OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE TO
SUPPORT THE CAPITAL INVESTMENTS
MADE WITH THE LEVEE IN RECENT
YEARS THE OFFICE HAS INCREASED
THESE OPERATIONS INCLUDING OMS
FOR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE
HOUSING, WORKFORCE STABILIZATION
TO INCREASE THE STAFF WAGES AT
PSH PROPERTIES AND RESIDENT
SERVICES FOR NONPSH HOUSING TO
SUPPORT TENANTS WHO NEED THE
EXTRA HOUSING SUPPORT TO REMAIN
IN THEIR APARTMENTS. AT O.H. WE
ARE ALWAYS LISTEN TO OUR
PARTNERS AND MONITORING
PROJECTS. YOU WILL HEAR MORE
ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE DONE
RECENTLY. THIS SLIDE PROVIDES
KEY DETAILS ABOUT O.H.'S NEW
AND CONTINUED OPERATING SUPPORT,
SHOWING POINT IN TIME
INVESTMENTS IN 2023 AND 2026
ACROSS THREE PRIMARY OMS
CATEGORIES. THE PERMANENT
SUPPORTIVE WORK HOUSE
STABILIZATION FUND, LAUNCHED IN
2023, WITH THE NEW SEATTLE
HOUSING LEVEE AND INCREASED JUMP
START PAYROLL EXPENSE RESOURCES.
IT INTENDS TO INCREASE WORKER
WAGES FOR FOLKS DOING SOME OF
THE MOST IMPORTANT JOBS IN OUR
CITY AND PSH. THE PSH OMS LINE
ITEM, THE BASIC FUNDING KEEPING
THE LIGHTS ON AND SUPPORTING
HOUSING WE HAVE BEEN DOING IT
FOR A LONG TIME, BUT IT'S GROWN
IN RECENT YEARS, LARGELY DUE TO
CONTRACTION OF THIS TIME OF
FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT. THE CITY HAS STEPPED
IN TO MAKE SURE NEW PSH HAS BEEN
OPENING IN RECENT YEARS.
RESIDENT SERVICES PAYING FOR
STAFFING AND RESIDENT SERVICES
THAT OFFER RESOURCES AND SUPPORT
TO PROVIDE HOUSING STABILITY FOR
TENANTS.
>> THANKS, KELLY. MARIA AGAIN.
THE OFFICE OF HOUSING HAS
RESPONDED TO THE CHALLENGES BY
PROVIDING URGENT, OPERATING
SUPPORT ALSO CALLED UOS FOR
SUPPORT IN THE FORM OF FLEXIBLE
GRANTS TO OUR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
PARTNERS TO FILL THE MOST
CRITICAL OPERATING GRANTS THAT
EMERGED AFTER THE PANDEMIC. IN
2026, THE OFFICE OF HOUSING
RELEASED 14.2 MILLION IN
FLEXIBLE FUNDING TO COVER THINGS
LIKE RENT ASSISTANCE,
MAINTENANCE, SECURITY, AND
INSURANCE. ONCE THESE GRANT
FUNDS WERE SPENT DOWN, WE HEARD
FROM OUR PARTNERS THAT THERE WAS
CONTINUING NEED. AND IN 2025
O.H. RELEASED SIMILAR FLEXIBLE
FUNDING FOR THESE TYPES OF
OPERATING EXPENSES. O.H. ALSO
RECENTLY RELEASED AN RFQ FOR
CONSULTANT CONTRACTS FOR 1.7
MILLION TO FUND PORTFOLIO
PRESERVATION PLANNING. I WILL
TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT
THAT IN A MOMENT. O.H. SCALED
AWARDS BASED ON THE HOUSING
PROVIDER'S PORTFOLIO SIZE. 22
ORGANIZATIONS WERE FUNDED WITH
AN AVERAGE AWARD OF 1.2 MILLION.
THE FUNDING CAN BE USED TO COVER
EXPENSES BETWEEN JULY 2025, SO
BACK DATED, THROUGH DECEMBER
2027. CONTRACTING IS UNDERWAY,
AND THE FIRST GRANT REPORTS ARE
DUE JUNE 2026. THIS SLIDE SHOWS
THE BREAKDOWN OF THE ANTICIPATED
USES. THE LARGEST SHARE OF FUNDS
WILL GO TO MAINTENANCE, RENT
ASSISTANCE, AND INSURANCE, AND A
SMALLER SHARE WILL GO TOWARDS
CAPITAL NEEDS, SECURITY,
STAFFING, AND ADMIN. LAST WEEK
THE OFFICE OF HOUSING RELEASED
AN RFQ REQUESTING QUALIFICATIONS
FROM CONSULTANTS TO CREATE
PORTFOLIO PLANS FOR THE CITY
INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO. THESE
PLANS WILL ASSESS THE PHYSICAL,
OPERATIONAL, AND FINANCIAL
PERFORMANCE OF BUILDINGS IN THE
CITY PORTFOLIO, AND IDENTIFY
STEPS NEEDED TO IMPROVE
OPERATIONS AND HELP US DETERMINE
WHETHER FUTURE PUBLIC INVESTMENT
WILL BE NEEDED. THESE PLANS WILL
HELP O.H. DEEPLY UNDERSTAND THE
NEEDS OF THE ORGANIZATIONS BY
SURFACING PERFORMANCE
ORGANIZATIONS AT BUILDINGS AND
ESTABLISHING A CLEAR TIMELINE
AND STRATEGY FOR ADDRESSING THEM
THROUGH THE DELIBERATE PLANNING
OF THE NEXT 5 TO 20 YEARS. WE
EXPECT TO HAVE A ROSTER OF
CONSULTANTS IN PLACE BY EARLY
SUMMER WITH THE WORK ITSELF
BEGINNING THIS FALL IN
PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR AFFORDABLE
HOUSING PARTNERS. TOGETHER THESE
EFFORTS REFLECT A MULTIFACETED
STRATEGY TO PROTECT SEATTLE'S
AFFORDABLE HOUSING INVENTORY AND
ENSURE IT'S LONG-TERM
VIABILITY. NOW I WILL HAND IT
OVER TO MADISON.
>> THANK YOU.
>> MADISON KRAMMER WITH THE
CAPITAL INVESTMENTS TEAM. I'M
HERE TO TALK ABOUT DEBT
RESTRUCTURING LOANS PART OF THE
2025 NOFA ALSO HEARD AS
STABILIZATION LOANS THIS IS A
NEW TOOL FOR THE OFFICE OF
HOUSING. WE KNOW THAT MORE
BUILDINGS ARE OPERATING AT A
LOSS AND AT A SCALE THAT
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROVIDERS
CANNOT ABSORB. WE GOT CREATIVE
IN TRENDS, AND THE 2025 ROUND,
WE ALLOWED PROVIDERS TO APPLY
FOR FUNDING TO BUY DOWN THEIR
SENIOR DEBT. THE GOAL WITH THESE
LOANS IS TO REDUCE MONTHLY
PAYMENTS SO OWNERS CAN AFFORD
HIGHER EXPENSES AND MAINTAIN
LOWER RENTS. WE LIMITED
APPLICATIONS TO THREE PER
PROVIDER ACROSS NEW
CONSTRUCTION, BUILDING
PRESERVATION, REHAB, AND DEBT
BUYDOWN TO GIVE THE OPPORTUNITY
TO PRIORITIZE THEIR GREATEST
NEEDS. WE RECEIVED 13
APPLICATIONS FOR DEBT BUYDOWN IN
TOTAL. OF THOSE, WE ULTIMATELY
AWARDED NINE BUILDINGS
COMMITTING 58 MILLION FOR THESE
PROPERTIES. SO IN REVIEWING ALL
13 APPLICATIONS, A NUMBER OF
CONSISTENT TRENDS EMERGED,
ESPECIALLY FOUR. ONE AMONGST
THEM WAS THAT OPERATING EXPENSES
HAD NEARLY DOUBLED IN THE TIME
BETWEEN 2019 AND 2024 FOR THESE
BUILDINGS. APPLICANTS NOTED IT
WAS DRIVEN BY REPAIRS AND
STAFFING. THERE WAS A MISMATCH
BETWEEN WHO THE BUILDINGS WERE
DESIGNED TO SUPPORT AND WHO THEY
ARE SERVING. MANY PROPERTIES
TARGETED 50 AND 60% AMI RENTERS
AND WERE NOW SERVING RESIDENTS
CLOSER TO 0% TO 30% AMI, MANY
WITHOUT THEIR OWN RENTAL
SUBSIDIES. SO THIS REFLECTS BOTH
STRUCTURAL FACTORS, RIGHT, IN
THE U.S. AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS
OFTEN SUBSIDIZING CONSTRUCTION
RATHER THAN ONGOING RENTS, AND
THAT HAS BEEN THE CASE FOR OVER
THE LAST 30 YEARS FEDERALLY, AND
ALSO REFLECTS MARKET DYNAMICS,
INCLUDING RESIDENTS WITH MORE
HOUSING OPTIONS HAVING MORE
CHOICES ACROSS THE CITY.
APPLICANTS ALSO, IN THIS ROUND,
REPORTED CHALLENGES RESPONDING
QUICKLY TO SAFETY CONCERNS, AND
CRIMINAL ACTIVITY, WHICH THEY
REPORTED WAS IMPACTING RETENTION
OF RESIDENTS WITH MORE HOUSING
OPTIONS. THE RESULT OF THIS WAS
A WIDENING GAP BETWEEN RENTAL
INCOME AND OPERATING COSTS. SO A
THIRD MORE DIRECTLY WAS THE
RENTAL REVENUE HAS FALLEN
CONSIDERABLY RELATED TO LOWER
RENTS, AND ALSO HIGHER VACANCY
AND RISING UNPAID RENT. AMONGST
THE 13 PROJECTS, THE AVERAGE
PHYSICAL VACANCY OVER A 12-MONTH
PERIOD WAS 87%, SORRY, AVERAGE
FISCAL OCCUPANCY, SO 13%
VACANCY. THE AVERAGE UNPAID RENT
THAT WAS OVER 30 DAYS DUE WAS
119,000 PER BUILDING, WHICH IS
ROUGHLY EQUIVALENT TO EVERY
SINGLE HOUSEHOLD OF THOSE OWING
JUST OVER $1,200. IN ADDITION TO
THE DIRECT IMPACT TO PROJECT
INCOME, WE ALSO HEARD
OVERWHELMINGLY THAT THE STAFF
AND ADMINISTRATIVE COST TO STAFF
AND COLLECT RENT OR SUPPORT
RESIDENTS IN NAVIGATING SERVICES
SO THEY WOULDN'T FALL BEHIND
HAD RISEN SIGNIFICANTLY, AND
FINALLY, WE ALSO HAD ANOTHER
TREND OF BUILDINGS THAT ARE
AGING, AND THEY ARE FACING
REFINANCING CHALLENGES,
ESPECIALLY WITH BALLOON PAYMENTS
COMING DUE AND INABILITIES TO
TAKE ON ADDITIONAL DEBT FOR
REPAIRS THAT ARE GROWING IN
NEED. SO TO ADDRESS THESE
COMPLEX CHALLENGES IS DEFINITELY
NOT AN EASY TASK. YET IN THIS
ROUND WE HAVE GONE BIG AND ALSO
GOT EXTREMELY CREATIVE TO MAKE
SURE SOLUTIONS MATCHED THE
UNIQUE PROBLEMS FOR EACH
BUILDING. ULTIMATELY THESE
INVESTMENTS AVOID IMMEDIATE
RISKS OF FORECLOSURE AND RELIEVE
PRESSURES ON PROVIDERS. THESE
LOANS ALSO ALLOW DEEPER
AFFORDABILITY LONG-TERM AND
ENSURE THE BUILDINGS CAN BE
MAINTAINED YEAR OVER YEAR. AT
THE SAME TIME, WE ARE
REPLENISHING THE OPERATING
RESERVES SO THEY ARE READY FOR
TOMORROW'S RAINY DAYS. ANOTHER
OUTCOME, ON SEVERAL PROJECTS
WHERE THE TRENDS WARRANTED
GREATER TEMPORARY SUPPORT FOR
STABILIZATION AND COST SAVINGS,
WE ALSO FUNDED THIRD PARTY
CONSULTING CAPACITY TO COME IN
AND SUPPORT THEM. WITH THIS
LEVEL OF INVESTMENT, THE
EXPECTATION IS THAT WE ARE
SOLVING FOR THE BIGGEST DRAINS,
SUPPORTING AND INCENTIVIZING
STRATEGIES APPLIED TO THE WIDER
PORTFOLIO, AND GIVING BREATHING
ROOM TO STABILIZE OTHER
PROPERTIES THROUGH OTHER MEANS.
ALL THAT TO SAY WE KNOW THERE IS
A GREATER NEED TO EXIST IN THE
O.H. GREATER PORTFOLIO AND ARE
ACTIVELY SEARCHING THE NEED, BUT
THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE NEED
TO INVEST TO THIS EXTENT ON
EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THE OTHER
THOUSANDS OF HOMES WE REGULATE
AS AFFORDABLE. SO WITH THAT, I
KNOW WE HAVE SHARED A LOT OF
INFORMATION, AND I IMAGINE YOU
HAVE QUESTIONS. I THINK WE ARE
GOING TO TAKE QUESTIONS BEFORE
WE GET INTO THE DASHBOARD
DISCUSSION.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I
APPRECIATE THE PRESENTATION
TODAY AND THE SUMMARY OF
INVESTMENTS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO
MORE INVESTMENT AS YOU GO
THROUGH THE REMAINDER OF THE
PROCESS AS WE SPOKE AT THE
BEGINNING. A PARTIAL RESPONSE
TO WHAT WAS IN THE STATEMENT OF
LEGISLATIVE INTENT. WITH THAT, I
WANT TO OPEN IT UP TO MY
COLLEAGUES ON THE COMMITTEE TO
ASK ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK?
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR. THANK YOU
FOR PROVIDING THIS INFORMATION
AND FOR THE CONTINUED WORK THAT
YOU ARE DOING AT THE OFFICE OF
HOUSING. IT'S GREATLY
APPRECIATED. I KNOW THERE'S A
LOT OF QUESTIONS, JUST ABOUT ALL
OF THE ONGOING PROJECTS THAT WE
HAVE GOING ON. AS A QUICK
REFRESHER F YOU CAN HIGH-LEVEL
WALK US THROUGH THE STAGES OF
DEVELOPMENT FOR O.H. PROJECTS
AND APPROXIMATELY THE TIMELINES
ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE THAT WOULD
BE HELPFUL IN FRAMING UP THIS
DISCUSSION.
>> SO YOU WILL SEE A LITTLE OF
THAT LATER ON, BUT GENERALLY WE
HAVE PROJECTS START IN
APPLICATION PHASE, COMING TO US,
SEEKING FUNDS. SOME AMOUNT OF
WORK OCCURS BEFORE THAT, BUT
THEY COME TO US SAYING WE HAVE A
PROJECT. WE ARE SEEKING SOME
MONEY FROM YOU TO GO SECURE
OTHER FUNDS TO MAKE THE PROJECT
WORK. WE HAVE THIS WHOLE SECTION
IS DEEMED PREDEVELOPMENT. THEN
WE AWARD FUNDS THROUGH THE
COMPETITIVE ROUND TO LAUNCH
PROJECTS INTO THE PERIOD WHERE
THEY ARE SEEKING OTHER FUNDS, SO
THEY CAN COMPLETELY FINANCE THE
PROJECT. PROJECTS GO UNDER
CONSTRUCTION. THE CONSTRUCTION
PERIOD USUALLY LASTS 12 TO 24
MONTHS IF EVERYTHING WORKS
ACCORDING TO PLAN, AND THEN THE
LEASE UP, AND STABILIZATION
TIMELINE THAT CAN, YOU KNOW,
TAKE SOME TIME, BUT AGAIN, 12 TO
18 MONTHS, AND THEN THEY ARE IN
THIS PERIOD OF OPERATIONS THAT
HAS -- CAN GO FOR MANY YEARS,
HOPEFULLY, BEFORE THEY ARE
COMING BACK TO US FOR
PRESERVATION INVESTMENTS.
THAT'S THE LIFE CYCLE, AND YOU
WILL SEE THAT LATER IN KATE'S
PRESENTATION.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. SORRY FOR
JUMPING THE GUN A LITTLE BIT ON
THAT ONE, BUT I'M REALLY
EXCITED TO DIG INTO THE
DASHBOARD PORTION OF THIS
PRESENTATION. I WANT TO
ACKNOWLEDGE ONE POINT HERE, AND
I APPRECIATE YOU LAYING OUT KIND
OF ALL OF THE IDENTIFIED CAUSAL
FACTORS OF WHY WE NEED TO TAKE A
FOCUSED APPROACH ON OPERATING
DOLLARS FOR OUR BUILDINGS. ONE
THING I KNOW IN MY CONVERSATIONS
WITH TENANTS, THERE'S A LOT OF
CONFUSION AROUND WHAT IS ALSO
AFFORDABLE. WE TALK ABOUT THIS
TERM AMI AND REALLY WHAT DOES
THAT MEAN? I KNOW YOU IDENTIFIED
EARLY ON IN THE PRESENTATION
AROUND THE RAPIDLY INCREASING
AMI AND HOW IT'S IMPACTING
RENTERS. I'M WONDERING IF AN
O.H. PERSPECTIVE, CAN YOU UNPACK
WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT WITH
WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH AMI RIGHT
NOW AND FOR MY PERSPECTIVE,
LOOKING AT WHAT IS GOING ON WITH
THE RENTER COMMUNITY, AND HOW
THAT IS TRANSLATING TO INCREASED
AFFORDABILITY?
>> YOU BET. OVER A PERIOD OF
ABOUT FIVE YEARS, WHICH IS THE
PERIOD I AM MOST FAMILIAR WITH,
WE HAVE NOT UPDATED OUR NUMBERS
RECENTLY FOR THIS YEAR YET. WE
HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE IN THE
AREA MEDIAN INCOME IN SEATTLE
40%. OUR AREA MEDIAN INCOME SETS
THE RENT CHART THAT ALL
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROVIDERS USE
TO ESTABLISH MAXIMUM RENTS.
THOSE ARE USED FOR ELIGIBILITY
PURPOSES TO QUALIFY RENTERS FOR
CERTAIN TYPES OF HOMES. YOU
HEARD MADISON REFERENCE 50% AND
60% AMI. FOR A LONG TIME, THAT
HAS BEEN SORT OF THE MEAT OF OUR
INVESTMENTS THAT WE ARE MAKING
AT THE OFFICE OF HOUSING AND
AFFORDABLE HOUSING. TYPICALLY
BELOW 30% OF AMI, AND MOST OF
THOSE FOLKS, CURRENTLY TODAY,
ARE SITTING AROUND THE AVERAGE
OF 11% AMI. MANY OF THE LOWER
INCOMES HAVE STAGNATED, AND THE
HIGHEST INCOMES ARE GROWING AT
VERY, VERY HIGH RATES. THERE IS
A DISPARITY. WHEN WE APPLY THE
WAY IT WORKS NOW, WE APPLY ALL
OF THE INCOMES INTO ONE
CATEGORY, AND THE RENTS INCREASE
FOR THE LOWEST WAGE FOLKS AT A
RATE THAT THEIR WAGE IS NOT
GROWING. THAT IS ONE THING THAT
IS HAPPENING. WHEN I FIRST
STARTED IN THIS WORK, FOLKS
LIVING IN SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
WERE CLOSER TO 20% OF AMI.
THERE'S BEEN A HUGE DROPOFF IN
WHERE THEY LAND ON THE RENT
CHART BECAUSE OF THE GROWTH OF
THE HIGHEST INCOME EARNERS IN
THE CITY.
>> THANK YOU FOR LAYING THAT
OUT. DO WE HAVE A SENSE OF
APPROXIMATELY WHERE THE AVERAGE
RENTER LAYS IN TERMS OF WHERE
THEIR AMI LEVEL FALLS NOW?
>> THE LAST TIME WE RAN THIS, WE
LOOKED AT TEN-YEAR DIFFERENTLY
FROM HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS. OUR
RENTER HOUSEHOLDS SIT AROUND
75%, 70% TO 75% OF AREA MEDIAN
INCOME AS A DEMOGRAPHIC, AND
HOMEOWNERS ARE MUCH HIGHER THAN
THAT. I DON'T WANT TO GUESS AT
THE NUMBER, BUT MANY PERCENTILES
HIGHER THAN WHERE RENTERS ARE.
WHEN WE ARE ESTABLISHING POLICY
AROUND RENT LIMITS, WE SHOULD BE
WORKING REALLY FOCUSED ON THIS
GROUP OF RENTERS ALONE AND
TARGETING TO THAT GROUP. MORE
AND MORE, THAT'S WHAT OUR TEAM
IS DOING. THERE IS A NEED TO
BALANCE OUR INVESTMENTS MUCH
THAT WE ARE STILL ACHIEVING OUR
PRODUCTION GOALS, AND THERE IS A
NEED FOR LARGER FAMILY SIZED
HOMES IN THE HIGHER INCOME
LEVELS. AS WE HAVE SEEN IN MANY
OF THE HOUSING DATA CHARTS WE
HAVE SHARED THE HIGHEST NEEDS
ARE BELOW THE 50% OF THE MEDIAN
INCOME. THAT HOUSING IS THE MOST
COSTLY TO SUBSIDIZE FOR CAPITAL
AND OPERATING LONG-TERM, AND WE
NEED TO KEEP GOING WHATEVER WE
CAN TO INCREASE PRODUCTION AT
THOSE LEVELS, OTHERWISE, WE
CONTINUE TO COST BURDEN FOLKS IN
SOME OF THE HIGHER INCOME RENTS,
AND THEN WE ALSO NEED TO THINK
ABOUT THIS AS WE ARE, YOU KNOW,
WORKING THROUGH OUR OTHER POLICY
TOOLS THAT WE MANAGE AT THE
OFFICE OF HOUSING AND LAND USE
AND INCENTIVES.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. THANK
YOU, CHAIR. THOSE ARE MY
QUESTIONS FOR NOW. CLEARLY I'M
EXCITED FOR THE SECOND HALF THE
PRESENTATION, DIVING INTO THE
DASHBOARD. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, SO MUCH
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK. I'M HEADED
TO COUNCILMEMBER LIN.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. GOOD TO
SEE YOU ALL. JUST ONE COMMENT
AND THEN QUESTIONS. IN TERMS OF
OPERATING SUPPORT AND I THINK OF
OUR HOUSING PROVIDERS AS SORT OF
SAFETY NET AS A LAST RESORT IN
MANY WAYS. WHEN OUR COMMUNITY'S
MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OR SOMEBODY
LOSES THEIR JOB, YOU KNOW OUR
HOUSING PROVIDERS ARE COMMISSION
DREICH. -- DRIVEN. THEY ARE
DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO
KEEP PEOPLE HOUSED AND WILL MAKE
IT WORK WHENEVER THEY CAN. AS I
SEE SOME OF THE OPERATING
SUPPORT NEEDS GO UP, TO ME,
IT'S A SIGN THAT OUR BROAD
SAFETY NET, WHETHER IT'S THE
MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM OR MEDICAL
SYSTEM, THE SAFETY NETS ARE NOT
WORKING AND FALLING ON THE
HOUSING PROVIDERS ONE THING YOU
ALSO TALKED ABOUT A LITTLE BIT
THIS THINKING OF OUR PRODUCTION
AND THE STUDIOS, AND I KNOW
OFTEN IN THE PAST WE TALKED
ABOUT THE HOUSING PRODUCTION
GOALS AND UNITS, AND THAT HAD
SOME UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF
SORT OF PRIORITIZING STUDIOS AND
ONE BEDROOMS INSTEAD OF
FAMILY-SIZED UNITS. AS WE THINK
OF OUR HOUSING PRODUCTION GOALS
ALSO THINKING ABOUT NOT WANTING
TO COMPETE WITH THE MARKET RATE
UNITS, HOW DO WE UPDATE OUR
HOUSING PRODUCTION GOALS SO THAT
WE ARE MORE PEOPLE FOCUSED SO WE
ARE TALKING ABOUT THE PEOPLE
SERVED SO THAT WE ARE NOT
DISINCENTIVIZING THROUGH THE
HOUSING PRODUCTION GOALS?
>> WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT
THIS AT THE OFFICE A BIT. I
THINK THE BIGGEST SHIFT THAT WE
MADE IS TO MOVE FROM A
DISCUSSION OF UNITS AND
APARTMENTS TO BEDROOMS AND
PEOPLE, AND THAT IS -- WE ARE
SORT OF UNDERWAY IN FIGURING OUT
HOW WE MAKE THAT MOVE. I THINK
IN THE INTERIM, WHAT WE HAVE
DONE, AND YOU CAN SEE IT IN OUR
ANNUAL REPORTS, TO BETTER REPORT
OUT THESE OUTCOMES ON A PER UNIT
AND PER BEDROOM INVESTMENT SO
THAT WE ARE TRACKING BOTH.
EVENTUALLY HOPING TO MOVE MORE
SO WE ARE FOCUSING ON
INVESTMENTS PER BEDROOM TO
INCENTIVIZE. ROSEY, I DON'T
KNOW IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT
THE PRIORITIES.
>> WE HAVE PRIORITIZED FAMILY
HOUSING AND DEEP AFFORDABILITY.
WE ARE TRYING TO DO BOTH. WE ARE
TRYING TO GET THE 30, LIKE 30%
AMI UNITS AS WELL AS TWO AND
THREE-BEDROOM UNITS IN THE
PROJECTS, AND FOR MANY OF THE
PROJECTS WE ACTUALLY FUNDED, WE
HAD A GOOD CHUNK OF THEM. I
THINK ABOUT 39% OR SO OF THE NEW
PRODUCTION UNITS ARE GOING TO BE
FAMILY-SIZED UNITS OUT OF THIS
PAST ROUND. WE ARE MOVING TOWARD
PUTTING ONLINE MORE FAMILY-SIZED
UNITS, AND THAT IS BACKED UP AND
SUPPORTED BY THE INFORMATION
THAT WE HAVE ON THE NEEDS OF
SEATTLE.
>> THANK YOU. AND ONE OF YOUR
SLIDES TALKED ABOUT HOW HOUSING
PROVIDERS ARE SERVING DEEPER,
LOWER AMIs EVEN THOUGH THEY
MIGHT BE REGULATED AT THE HIGHER
AMIs, AND THIS KIND OF GETS TO
THAT DIFFICULTY OF THE REPORTING
OF LIKE, WHO ARE WE ACTUALLY
SERVING VERSES WHAT MIGHT BE
REGULATED, AND IN TERMS OF,
AGAIN, TO ME, IT SIGNALS WE NEED
TO GO DEEPER IN OUR SUBSIDIES
FOR THESE, AND TO MAKE SURE THAT
OUR PROVIDERS CAN -- ESPECIALLY
-- AS THERE ARE OFTEN TIMES
UNFORSEEN CIRCUMSTANCES AND
CHANGES, AND TO MAKE SURE
THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF A
BUFFER FOR OUR HOUSING
PROVIDERS. HOW DO WE -- IF WE
ARE MAKING THESE SORT OF SHIFTS,
WHETHER IT'S IN THE UNITS OR
SORT OF THE SUBSIDIES, HOW DO WE
DO THAT WHILE ALSO WORKING WITH
OUR HOUSING PROVIDERS WHO, YOU
KNOW, THEY GO OUT AND BUY
PROPERTIES, AND THEY DESIGN
THEIR PERMITTING, THEIR DESIGN
PLANS AND I KNOW THERE'S A
PIPELINE AND BACKLOG THAT WE ARE
NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO PRODUCE
AS MUCH AS WE LIKE, WHETHER THE
PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
SIDE, AND HOW DO WE BALANCE OUR
THINKING AROUND NEW PRODUCTION,
LARGER UNITS, DEEPER SUBSIDIES
WITH THE FACT THAT, YOU KNOW, WE
HAVE A LOT OF PROVIDERS WITH
PREDEVELOPMENT COSTS, AND HOW DO
WE MAKE SURE THEY ARE NOT LEFT
HOLDING THE BAG, BASED ON SORT
OF PRIOR SORT OF ASSUMPTIONS OR
GOALS THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT WE
HAD IN THIS SHIFTING MARKET?
>> I WILL START AND THEN I WILL
HAND IT TO ROSEY TO ROUND OUT,
BUT WHEN YOU HAVE IDENTIFIED THE
NEW SOURCE FOR A STEADY
OPERATING SUBSIDY, PLEASE CALL
ME. THIS IS A HUGE GAP.
PARTICULARLY IN THIS TIME THAT
WE ARE IN. THERE ARE QUESTIONS
BEING ASKED OF US, WOULD WE BE
ABLE TO STEP IN? AS YOU HAVE
SEEN IN THESE RECENT
PRESENTATIONS, THE OFFICE OF
HOUSING'S INVESTMENT IN
OPERATING SUPPORT HAVE INCREASED
SIGNIFICANTLY OVER THE LAST FIVE
YEARS. WE CANNOT DO IT ALONE,
BUT WE CAN DO MORE IF THOSE
TRADEOFFS WOULD LIKE -- YOU
KNOW, IF THE DECISION MAKERS
WANT TO MAKE THE TRADEOFFS,
WHICH WE ARE TYPICALLY TALKING
ROSEY AND I ALL OF THE TIME.
INVESTMENT IN OPERATING MEANS
NOT AN INVESTMENT IN CAPITAL AND
VICE VERSA, SO WE ARE ALWAYS
STRIVING FOR BALANCE AT THE
OFFICE. HAVING GONE THROUGH THE
REAUTHORIZATION PROCESS FOR THE
SEATTLE HOUSING LEVEE, THAT'S
DEVELOPING A SPIN PLAN ALL ABOUT
STRIKING RIGHT BALANCE IN YOU
KNOW, ALLOCATING FUNDS FOR
CAPITAL, AND BOTH NEW PRODUCTION
AND PRESERVATION, AND OPERATING
SUPPORT. WE WANT TO SEE
PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
COMING THROUGH. IN THIS TIME
THAT WE ARE IN, I HAVE TO
MENTION FEDERAL CONCERNS AND
CONSTRAINTS, AND WE ARE WATCHING
AND WAITING AND PLANNING FOR A
POTENTIAL SERIOUS FEDERAL CUTS
WHICH WILL HIT THE OPERATING
BUDGETS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT AND
WILL LIKELY REQUIRE SOME OF THE
OFFICE'S INVESTMENTS TO COME IN
TO SHORE UP THE EXISTING
INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE.
THERE'S ALWAYS NEEDS, AND WE
ARE TRYING TO BALANCE ACROSS THE
VARIOUS CATEGORIES AND DO THE
BEST WE CAN WITH WHAT WE HAVE,
LISTENING AND RESPONDING TO
VARIOUS INTERESTS AND NEEDS. I
WOULD BE CURIOUS TO HEAR ROSEY
EAST THOUGHTS ON THIS. THE NOFA
THAT THE TEAM DID THIS YEAR WAS
DIFFERENT, AND THEY LEARNED SOME
THINGS.
>> SO I APPRECIATE YOUR
QUESTION. WHAT I WOULD SAY TO
HOW ARE WE RESPONDING OR AT
LEAST CONSIDERING THE PIPELINE
THAT OUR HOUSING PARTNERS HAVE
ALREADY ESTABLISHED, FIRST, WE
KIND OF STARTED OUR PRIORITIES
WITH GRADUAL CHANGES. IT WASN'T
DRAMATIC CHANGES, AND WE HAVE
KIND OF HELD STEADY FOR THE PAST
TWO OR THREE ROUNDS OF THE NOFA
IN TERMS OF WHERE WE ARE WITH
OUR PRIORITIES, AND WE WILL
CONTINUE TO DO SO. THIS PAST
NOFA ROUND WAS SOMETHING THAT
WAS DIFFERENT AND BORN OUT OF
NECESSITY TO REALLY RESPOND TO
WHAT WE WERE SEEING IN OUR
PORTFOLIO AND HEARING FROM
HOUSING PROVIDERS. ADDING IN THE
DEBT RESTRUCTURING BUCKET FOR A
LACK OF A BETTER WORD, I
ANTICIPATE THAT WE WILL HAVE TO
CONTINUE THAT FOR AT LEAST THE
NEXT TWO TO THREE ROUNDS FOR THE
NOFA TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE
BEING AS RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS
OF OUR PORTFOLIO AND ALSO MAKING
SURE THAT THE UNITS THAT WE HAVE
ALREADY PUT ONLINE CAN STAY
ONLINE. I THINK THAT THAT IS ONE
OF OUR MAJOR PRIORITIES TO MAKE
SURE THAT THE UNITS THAT ARE
THERE CAN REMAIN ONLINE. WE ARE
STILL ALSO AT THE SAME TIME
TRYING TO MOVE FORWARD AND MAKE
SURE WE ARE HITTING OUR
PRODUCTION GOALS AND DOING THAT.
I'M VERY CAREFULLY LIKE
WATCHING IT. I DO BELIEVE THAT
WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO THAT, BUT
AGAIN, AS KELLY SAID, MOVING THE
NARRATIVE AWAY FROM UNITS TO
BEDROOMS, I THINK IS KEY TO
REALLY DELIVERING ON WHAT WE
HAVE PROMISED AND ALSO JUST --
THAT'S BEING COMMUNICATED TO
THE HOUSING PARTNERS. MORE
BEDROOMS NEED MORE SUBSIDY OR A
DEEPER SUBSIDY, AND DEEPER
AFFORDABILITY MEANS DEEPER
SUBSIDIES. YOU MIGHT SEE THAT WE
HAVE TO PUT MORE IN TO A SAY A
PROJECT THAN WE HAVE IN THE
PAST. HOPEFULLY WHEN YOU EQUAL
IT OUT AND SEE HOW MANY BEDROOMS
AND ALSO WHAT THE AFFORDABILITY
WE ARE DELIVERING ON, YOU CAN
UNDERSTAND THE CHOICES AND WHY
WE SELECTED CERTAIN
PROBABILITIES.
>> THE EXCITING APPROACH IS THAT
THEY ARE CAPITAL INVESTMENTS AND
ALSO OPERATING INVESTMENTS. THEY
ARE STABILIZING THE BUILDINGS
FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF LIFE, AND
THEY ARE GOING TO OPERATE MORE
SOUNDLY. THE GOAL WITH THE TEAM,
WITH THE NEW PRODUCTION
INVESTMENTS, WE ARE FROM THE
FRONT END, SETTING UP THE
PROJECTS TO SUCCEED IN A WAY
THAT WE MAYBE DIDN'T BEFORE,
WITH, YOU KNOW, MORE ACCURATE,
CURRENT CONDITION ASSESSMENT AND
DATA-INFORMED DECISION MAKING.
THAT'S THE GOAL. THESE ARE ALL
COMING TOGETHER AT THE SAME
TIME, BUT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS
AND OPERATIONS CAN BE VERY
CLOSELY TIED, AND THAT'S THE
REALLY EXCITING THING ABOUT WHAT
MADISON SHARED WITH YOU TODAY.
>> JUST ONE LAST COMMENT. THANK
YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS INCREDIBLY
DIFFICULT WORK. I DON'T THINK
THAT WE HAVE SEEN SUCH A
VOLATILE TIME IN THE AFFORDABLE
HOUSING ECOSYSTEM, AND THAT JUST
UNCERTAINTY, IT CREATES A LOT OF
DIFFICULTY, AND I THINK WE ARE
FORTUNATE TO HAVE A STRONG TEAM
HERE WHO IS RESPONDING TO THE
MOMENT THAT WE HAVE RESOURCES SO
THAT WE DON'T SEE -- YOU KNOW --
SO JUST THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD
WORK AND WILLINGNESS TO BE
CREATIVE AND TO RESPOND TO THE
MOMENT.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH,
COUNCILMEMBER LIN. I DON'T SEE
JUAREZ. RHODE ISLAND --
COUNCILMEMBER RIVARA.
>> A COUPLE OF CONVERSATIONS
GOING ON HERE, ONE ABOUT
GLOBALLY WHAT OUR FUTURE
INVESTMENTS SHOULD LOOK LIKE. I
APPRECIATE THE COMMENTS OF MY
COLLEAGUES IN TERMS OF WHAT IS
NEEDED IN THE MARKET AND WHAT WE
ARE SEEING NOW, WHAT THE CITY
NEEDS, MORE FAMILY, AND PERHAPS
EVEN MORE AFFORDABLE EVEN. WE
KNOW WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF AN
AFFORDABILITY CRISIS IN THE
CITY. THERE'S A LOT WE CAN SAY
ABOUT THAT AFFORDABILITY CRISIS
AND WHAT HAS CAUSED THAT. I DO
WANT TO GO BACK BECAUSE KELLI,
YOU AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON
THIS FOR SOME TIME NOW. WHEN I
FIRST GOT HERE TWO YEARS AGO, IT
WAS EVIDENT THAT THE HOUSING
PROVIDERS WERE STRUGGLING, AND
PART OF THAT HAD TO DO WITH NOT
BEING ABLE TO -- YOU KNOW,
FOLKS, NONPAYMENT OF RENT
HAPPENING, AND THEN A LOT OF
PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES AROUND
THESE DEVELOPMENTS, HOUSING
DEVELOPMENTS, BOTH LEADING TO A
LOSS OF REVENUE, FOR THESE
PROJECTS, AND WHEN WE GAVE
OPERATING STABILIZATION FUNDS AT
THAT TIME, OUR HOPE WAS TO, OF
COURSE, STABILIZE THE PROJECTS,
BUT AT THE TIME, THEY WERE MEANT
TO BE A SHORTER TERM STRATEGY,
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THE
LONGER TERM STRATEGY FOR
STABILIZING OF THE CURRENT
UNITS. I WILL SAY THAT INITIALLY
BOTH THE LEVEE DOLLARS AND THE
P.E.T. DOLLARS FOR HOUSING WERE
PREDOMINANTLY FOR THE CREATION
OF HOUSING, AND THEN WHEN I GOT
HERE, IT WAS REALLY CLEAR THAT
THERE WAS THIS NEED FOR
OPERATING STABILIZATION. THAT IS
WHY COUNCIL AT THE TIME GAVE
THESE DOLLARS, AND AS THE
PRIMARY SPONSOR OF THIS
PARTICULAR SLIDE, WHICH IS WHAT
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TODAY, IS
THE RESPONSE TO THE SLY, THANK
YOU FOR RESPONDING TO THE SLY,
IS REALLY ABOUT WHAT DID THOSE
DOLLARS GO TO STABILIZE, AND
WHAT HAS BEEN THE IMPACT, AND
THEN FUTURE LOOKING, I THINK
THERE NEEDS TO BE A ROBUST
POLICY CONVERSATION ABOUT
STABILIZATION, CONTINUED
STABILIZATION BECAUSE IT'S
CLEAR FROM THE RESPONSE TO THE
SLIDE, THERE IS SOME NEED, MAYBE
MORE NEED THAN WE INITIALLY
THOUGHT ON THE STABILIZATION,
THE STABILIZATION OF THE
OPERATING OF THESE UNITS, AND
THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HOW
BIG WE NEED THE UNITS TO BE IN
THE FUTURE, AND HOW MANY OF THE
UNITS WE NEED IN GENERAL.
THAT'S STILL SOMETHING WE NEED
TO GRAPPLE WITH, AND WE NEED TO
BE REALLY HONEST AND TRANSPARENT
ABOUT THE PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE
TO DATE, THE HOUSING WE HAVE
BEEN BUILT TO DATE, AND WHAT IT
WILL TAKE TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T
LOSE WHAT WE HAVE, AND THEN THE
IDEA HAD BEEN THAT WE WOULD BE
MORE ROBUSTLY ADDING UNITS, NOT
THEN HAVING TO GO BACK AND
STABILIZE THE ONES THAT WE HAD.
AND WITH THIS RESPONSE, IT'S
REALLY CLEAR TO ME THAT THERE'S
THIS HUGE NEED TO CONTINUE THIS
OPERATING STABILIZATION OF THE
PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE, AND I
FEEL THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE
-- NEED TO BE A ROBUST
CONVERSATION AND POLICY
DECISIONS ABOUT OUR O.H.
PORTFOLIO IN TERMS OF OUR
ABILITY TO ACTUALLY ADD NEW
UNITS WHILE AT THE SAME TIME,
WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO TO
OPERATE THE UNITS. I HEAR FROM
YOUR PRESENTATION THAT YOU ARE
HIRING A CONSULTANT OR HIRED A
CONSULTANT TO HELP WITH THE
PRESERVATION, I ASSUME YOU MEAN
KEEPING OF THESE UNITS? BUT I DO
WANT TO UNDERSCORE THAT IT WAS
VERY CLEAR TO ME FROM THIS
PRESENTATION THAT THE
STABILIZATION FUNDS, THE NEED
WAS GREATER THAN AT LEAST WHAT
WE INITIALLY THOUGHT WHEN WE
GAVE SOME OF THE OPERATING
DOLLARS TO THESE UNITS, AND THAT
BOTH P.E.T. AND LEVY MONEY HAS
BEEN USED TOWARDS THE
STABILIZATION OF THE UNITS,
WHICH WAS NOT THE INITIAL INTENT
OF THE INVESTMENTS, AND YOU ARE
NODDING YOUR HEAD, SO I FEEL
LIKE --
>> WE CAN TALK MORE ABOUT THE
FUND SOURCES WHEN YOU'RE READY.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO THAT NOW?
>> WE CAN DO THAT NOW, KELLI,
THANK YOU.
>> YOU BET.
>> JUST QUICKLY ON FUND SOURCES
-- THESE STABILIZATION
INVESTMENTS ARE FUNDED
EXCLUSIVELY WITH JUMP START,
PAYROLL TAX. THE INVESTMENTS
THAT ARE ON THIS PARTICULAR
SLIDE. WHEN WE BROUGHT THE 2023
SEATTLE HOUSING LEVY BEFORE
COUNCIL AND WENT THROUGH THE
REAUTHORIZATION PROCESS WITH THE
PUBLIC AND PARTNERS, WE DID
PRESENT A SPIN PLAN OVER A
SEVEN-YEAR PERIOD FOR THE
HOUSING LEVY AND FOR JUMP START
P.E.T. AND MANDATORY HOUSING
AFFORDABILITY AND ALL OF THE OHS
FUNDS COMING TOGETHER.
PROJECTING WHAT WE WOULD BE ABLE
TO DO WITH BOTH NEW PRODUCTION,
PRESERVATION, AND OPERATING, AND
AT THE TIME THAT WE BROUGHT THAT
FORWARD IN 2023, WE DID PREDICT
THAT JUMP START PAYROLL EXPENSE
TAX WOULD BE TILTING TO
OPERATING INVESTMENTS. WE KNEW
WE WERE GOING TO NEED AND HAD
ALREADY STARTED TO MAKE MORE OMS
INVESTMENTS IN A GROWING
PORTFOLIO, AND SO, WE SHARED
BACK THEN THESE VERY DIFFERENT
PIE CHARTS TO SHOW THE DIFFERENT
INVESTMENTS THAT BOTH LEVY AND
JUMP START WERE MAKING, AND THE
PRIMARY SUPPORTS NOW. THIS IS
PART OF WHAT WAS BAKED INTO THE
PLAN THAT WE MADE IN 2023 AND
ARE EXPECTING THROUGH THE FULL
LEVY PERIOD, WHICH ENDS 2030,
AND IT IS TRUE THE ONE TIME
PERIODIC INVESTMENTS IN
STABILITY WERE NOT ANTICIPATED
IN 2022 AND 2023, AND WE ARE
RESPONDING TO NEEDS, AND WE ARE
SEEING THERE'S A LOT OF NEED
OUT THERE -- THOSE DO FIT WITHIN
THE EXISTING PLAN BECAUSE THEY
ARE CAPITAL INVESTMENTS.
>> I UNDERSTAND THAT, KELLI. I
JUST KNOW WHEN WE DID THE LEVY
AND THE P.E.T., WAS CREATING
MORE UNITS THAN STABILIZING
UNITS AND QUICKLY WE SAW,
PARTICULARLY WITH 2023, THE PSH
UNITS NEEDED THE OPERATING AND
MAINTENANCE SERVICES MONEY AND
WORKFORCE STABILIZATION MONEY AS
WELL. TOWARDS THAT END, ON SLIDE
EIGHT, IF WE COULD GO TO EIGHT.
2023 AND 2026, BUT WHERE DID
2024 AND '25 GO? I THINK THIS
IS EVERY YEAR --
>> THIS IS EVERY YEAR. 2023 IS
WHEN THE WORKFORCE STABILIZATION
FUND LAUNCHED, AND THEN PSHOMS
HAD BEEN GOING SINCE THE 1990s
AND THE '80s, STARTED IN 1986
WITH THE SEATTLE HOUSING LEVY,
GRADUALLY GROWING OVER THE YEARS
AS LEVIES ARE ADDED AND MORE NEW
PROJECTS WERE COMING ONLINE. YOU
DO SEE A SIGNIFICANT JUMP FROM
2023 TO 2026 FOR PSHOMS, LARGELY
DUE TO FEDERAL FUND RETRACTION
AND OUR PSH CAPITAL PIPELINE
MOVING FORWARD. IN ORDER FOR
THOSE BUILDINGS TO OPEN, THE
OFFICE OF FUNDING CAME THROUGH
TO MAKE SURE THE BUILDINGS COULD
OPEN.
>> THANK YOU, KELLI.
>> JUST TO CONFIRM 2024 AND 2025
ARE IN THERE, NOT JUST FUNDING
FOR THE TWO YEARS.
>> YES.
>> AND THEN THERE'S ADDITIONAL
FUNDING THE PERIODIC INVESTMENT,
AND THE INVESTMENT THEY THINK,
REALISTICALLY, PROBABLY NEEDS TO
CONTINUE SO THERE'S A POLICY
CONSIDERATION HERE AS WELL
BECAUSE THESE ARE OPERATING
DOLLARS THAT WERE MEANT TO BE
TEMPORARY, BUT PROBABLY NEED TO
CONTINUE. REALISTICALLY AS I
SAID. I WILL SAY THAT, THAT HAS
INCREASED IN TO 2026, AND I WAS
HERE BEFORE THIS CURRENT
ADMINISTRATION, AND WE WERE
ALREADY SEEING THE NEED FOR
OPERATING EXPENSES. I WANT TO BE
AGAIN VERY TRANSPARENT ABOUT
THAT. WE NEED TO BE HONEST ABOUT
WHAT IS HAPPENING, AND WE CAN'T
SAY THAT THIS JUST STARTED IN
2025, THIS STARTED BEFORE 2025,
THE NEED FOR OPERATING
STABILIZATION, AND I WANT TO BE
REALLY CLEAR ABOUT THAT. AND IN
TERMS OF, ON PAGE NINE, PERIODIC
INVESTMENT, IT'S CLEAR THAT
ABOUT 50% OF THE DOLLARS, THE
P.E.T. DOLLARS ARE GOING TO
STABILIZATION, AND THAT'S WHAT
I SAY WHEN I MEAN, IT IS A
DEEPER AMOUNT THAN WE HAD
INITIALLY THOUGHT OF P.E.T. THAT
WOULD GO TO OPERATING
STABILIZATION. WHEN WE INITIALLY
PASSED THIS, WE DID NOT THINK IT
WOULD BE THAT LEVEL, 50% OF THE
P.E.T. INVESTMENT WOULD BE GOING
TO OPERATING.
>> I'M NOT SURE IT'S QUITE
50%, BUT BE WE DID PUT THE LEVY
THROUGH, WE DID ASSUME CLOSE TO
40%. I'M NOT SURE WE ARE AT 50%
TODAY. WE ARE -- I'M PRETTY
SURE WE ARE LOWER THAN THAT. THE
MAJORITY OF INVESTMENTS FROM
JUMP START ARE STILL GOING
TOWARD CAPITAL, NEW PRODUCTION,
PRESERVATION, AND THE DEBT
RESTRUCTURING INVESTMENTS
MADISON DISCUSSED EARLIER, ALL
CONSIDERED CAPITAL INVESTMENTS
ALTHOUGH THERE IS AN INTERPLAY
WITH LONG-TERM OPERATING
SUCCESS, THEY ARE CAPITAL
INVESTMENTS.
>> I MEAN, AND SO WE CAN QUIBBLE
ABOUT BETWEEN 40% AND 50%, BUT
AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE ARE
USING A HUGE PART OF THE
INVESTMENT TOWARDS STABILIZING
CURRENT UNITS INSTEAD OF
CREATING NEW ONES, WHICH IS WHAT
WE NEED. THIS IS WHAT I SAY WITH
WE NEED TO BE HONEST BECAUSE IT
WILL BE INFORM THE POLICY
DECISION MOVING FORWARD, AND ON
PAGE 11, I ALSO WANT TO, FOR THE
PUBLIC THAT MIGHT BE WATCHING
NOW OR LATER IS IT STRIKES ME AS
PRETTY SIGNIFICANT, 72% OF THE
FUNDING IS GOING TO MAINTENANCE,
RENT ASSISTANCE, OR INSURANCE
COSTS. THAT'S A HUGE
PERCENTAGE. WHEN WE SAY
MAINTENANCE, CAN YOU TALK A
LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT? THERE'S
DIFFERENT KINDS OF MAINTENANCE
HERE.
>> BEFORE YOU RESPOND, THANK YOU
SO MUCH, COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA. I
WANT TO REMIND YOU WE HAVE A
SECOND HALF WE WANT TO GET TO
TODAY. WE HAVE MORE SLIDES TO
GET TO. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE
GET YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED AS
THE SPONSOR, BUT I ALSO WANT TO
MAKE SURE WE ARE TRACKING TO GET
THROUGH THE SECOND HALF OF THE
PRESENTATION TODAY. I WILL
INVITE O.H. TO MAKE A RESPONSE,
AND THEN COUNCILMEMBER, IF I CAN
JUST MAKE SURE WE PRIORITIZE THE
QUESTIONS YOU WANT ANSWERED IN
COMMITTEE, AND WE WILL GET ANY
NOT ANSWERED IN COMMITTEE TO
YOUR OFFICE.
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR. DON'T MEAN
TO TAKE UP ALL OF THE TIME, BUT
I DIDN'T KNOW THIS WAS COMING
TODAY. THE DEPARTMENT HAD NOT
DISCUSSED WITH ME THIS
PARTICULAR PRESENTATION OR
ANYONE ELSE FOR THAT MATTER, SO
THIS IS MY OPPORTUNITY. THIS IS
SOMETHING THAT WAS REALLY
IMPORTANT TO THE COUNCILMEMBERS
THAT WERE HERE WHEN I PUT THIS
IN, AND IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT
FOR THE PUBLIC THAT IS WATCHING
BECAUSE THIS IS A BIG DEAL.
>> I AGREE, AND AS I SAID,
CHAIR, WE WANT TO GET YOUR
QUESTIONS ANSWERED. I HAVE
QUESTIONS I NEED TO GET TO AS
CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE.
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR.
>> MARIA, DO YOU WANT TO SHARE
DETAILS AROUND MAINTENANCE COSTS
AND URGENT SUPPORT?
>> MAINTENANCE COSTS INCLUDE
THINGS LIKE UNIT TURNS WHEN A
RESIDENT MOVES OUT AND THE UNIT
NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED, REALLY WE
JUST HEARD A LOT ABOUT DEFERRED
MAINTENANCE THROUGH THE
APPLICATIONS FOR THE FUNDING,
AND IT'S ALSO A SIMPLER WAY TO
USE THE FUNDING THAN RENT
ASSISTANCE. RENT ASSISTANCE IS
STAFF INTENSIVE TO PROVIDE
DIRECTLY TO RESIDENTS. I THINK
IT MIGHT BE SHOWING UP AS THE
PREDOMINANT CATEGORY BECAUSE
IT'S EASIER TO DEPLOY, SAME FOR
INSURANCE COSTS. I DON'T
BELIEVE THERE ARE OTHER FUNDING
SOURCES TO COVER INSURANCE COSTS
THAT ARE SO FLEXIBLE LIKE THIS
ONE, AND WE HEARD FROM PROVIDERS
THAT WAS A STRATEGY THEY WERE
EASILY ABLE TO PLUG IN TO THAT
COST.
>> THIS IS ANOTHER AREA WHERE
URGENT OPERATING STABILITY
OVERLAPS THE PRIER ER IS --
PRESERVATION. WE HAVE A LOT OF
AGING PROPERTIES, AND THERE'S A
NUMBER OF DEFERRED MAINTENANCE
THAT SIT IN THE PROPERTIES AND
HAVE NOT BEEN ATTENDED TO
BECAUSE OF A LACK OF RESOURCES.
YOU SEE THE OVERLAP THERE WITH
THE LONG-TERM CAPITAL NEEDS AND
MAINTENANCE. THERE'S A LOT OF
OVERLAP, AND IT'S COSTLY. IT'S
NOT SURPRISING THAT'S A LARGE
CATEGORY OF SPENDING IN THE
FUNDING ROUND, BUT WE ARE
WATCHING IT AND MAKING SURE THAT
WE WERE REALLY VERY DILIGENT
ACROSS ALL OF THE TEAMS AT THE
OFFICE THAT THE PRESERVATION
INVESTMENTS WERE SEPARATE AND
NOT DUPLICATED AND SAME WITH
DEBT RESTRUCTURING. WE ARE
MAKING SURE WE BALANCE O.H.
SUPPORT ACROSS THE ENTIRE
PORTFOLIO FOR VARIOUS NEEDS.
>> BUT ON THE MAINTENANCE SIDE,
IT'S SOME OF THE UNITS THAT
NEED TO BE FIXED, THOSE ARE
SIZABLE COSTS, AND I SAY THAT
BECAUSE THE PROVIDERS WHEN THEY
TALK TO US AND WE PUT THESE
OPERATING FUNDING IN, IT WAS TO
ADDRESS SOME OF THAT, TOO, SO
UPWARDS OF 100,000 FOR EACH UNIT
IN SOME CASES, NOT ALL CASES. I
JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT AS WELL.
I WILL FORMALLY REQUEST I GET A
BRIEFING ON THE PARTICULAR SLIDE
BECAUSE LIKE I KNOW, I DIDN'T
KNOW IT WAS COMING. I DON'T SIT
ON THE COMMITTEE. I WOULDN'T
HAVE KNOWN IT WAS COMING BEFORE
THE COMMITTEE AHEAD OF TIME. I
WOULD HAVE APPRECIATED THE
DEPARTMENT FLAGGING FOR ME THIS
WAS COMING AND YOU WERE GOING TO
ANSWER THE SLIDE TODAY, AND I
WOULD HAVE LOVED TO HAVE HAD A
BRIEFING BEFOREHAND SO I COULD
ANSWER ALL OF THE QUESTIONS AND
NOT HAVE TO TAKE UP YOUR TIME,
CHAIR, HERE IN COMMITTEE. I WILL
FORMALLY REQUEST THAT.
>> WE ARE HAPPY TO DO THAT,
COUNCILMEMBER.
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU, CHAIR.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
RIVERA. I WANT TO GO TO A COUPLE
MORE QUESTIONS. COLLEAGUES,
PLEASE LET THE CLERK KNOW IF YOU
WILL HAVE CHALLENGES. I DO HAVE
A FEW MORE QUESTIONS BEFORE WE
GO INTO THE FINAL PART OF THE
PRESENTATION WHERE WE ARE GOING
TO GET INTO THE DASHBOARD YOU
HAVE ALL PUT TOGETHER. ONE THING
I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE THREAD
THE NEEDLE ON WITH THE
COMBINATION OF THE OPERATING
COSTS AND BALANCING THE NEED FOR
NEW HOUSING CONSTRUCTION IS THE
COMPLEXITY IN PUTTING TOGETHER
THEIR CAPITAL STACKS. AS WE KNOW
OFFICE OF HOUSING IS A CRITICAL
FUNDER AND ALSO WE ARE NOT THE
ONLY FUNDER. I KNOW MANY OF OUR
PARTNERS ARE RELYING ON
RESOURCES COMING IN FROM THE
STATE OR COME IN FROM THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. IT'S MY
UNDERSTANDING THAT GIVEN THE
FUNDING CONSTRAINTS IN BOTH OF
THOSE PLACES, THERE IS AN
ONGOING CHALLENGE WITH PROVIDERS
BEING ABLE TO PUT TOGETHER A
COMPLETE CAPITAL STACK, AND PART
OF THAT INFLUENCES THE DECISIONS
THAT THE OFFICE OF HOUSING NEEDS
TO MAKE, AND AS WE THINK OF THIS
COMPLICATED BALANCE BETWEEN
INVESTMENTS AND PRESERVATION
THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TODAY,
WE ALSO KNOW THAT ANY INVESTMENT
WE MAKE IN NEW CONSTRUCTION WILL
REQUIRE PARTNER FUNDING, AND SO
CAN YOU JUST SHARE MORE ABOUT
THAT CONTEXT AND HOW THAT IS
INFLUENCING DECISIONS AND THE
THOUGHT PROCESS WITHIN THE
DEPARTMENT?
>> I WILL ASK ROSEY TO TAKE THAT
ONE.
>> YEAH, SO THE OFFICE OF
HOUSING, ALTHOUGH OUR SHARE OF
THE CAPITAL STACK AS WE CALL IT
OR THE SOURCES THAT IT TAKES TO
GET A PROJECT UNDERCONSTRUCTION,
OUR SHARE HAS GROWN, HOWEVER WE
DEPEND ON OUR PARTNERS, OTHER
PUBLIC FUNDERS LIKE KING COUNTY
AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF
COMMERCE THROUGH THE HOUSING
TRUST FUND. WE HAVE TO DO THAT
ALL TOGETHER, AND WE COORDINATE
THROUGH THE KING COUNTY PUBLIC
FUNDERS COORDINATION, AND WE DO
THAT AS WELL AS OUR PROJECTS
UTILIZE THE BIGGEST CHUNK
PROBABLY THAT THEY UTILIZE OR
THE BIGGEST TOOL, I WOULD SAY,
THAT THEY UTILIZE IN THE
PROJECTS IS THE LOW-INCOME
HOUSING TAX CREDITS, AND THAT IS
ALLOCATED THROUGH THE WASHINGTON
STATE HOUSING FINANCE
COMMISSION, AND WE ALSO
COORDINATE WITH THEM AS WELL.
THERE ARE A LOT OF MOVING
PIECES. OFTEN TIMES WE ARE THE
FIRST ONES IN, AND THEN, THE
OTHER FUNDERS COME, AND SO IT
TAKES, TYPICALLY, ANOTHER ROUND
OF FUNDING, AND SO IF WE FUNDED
SOMETHING, LET'S JUST SAY WE
FUNDED SOMETHING IN 2026, THIS
YEAR, AND THEY PROBABLY -- THE
PROJECT PROBABLY WON'T BE FULLY
FUNDED AND READY TO GO UNTIL
ANOTHER YEAR. SO WE ARE ALREADY
SAYING, OKAY, IN 2027, THEY ARE
GOING TO GET UNDERWAY, AND THEN
WHEN YOU ADD A TWO-YEAR
CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE, WE ARE
NOW IN 2029 WHEN THOSE UNITS GET
DELIVERED, AND THEN THEY HAVE
THE LEASE UP, WHICH CAN TAKE
ANYWHERE FROM EIGHT MONTHS, AND
THAT'S LIKE FAST. TO ABOUT 18
MONTHS, WHICH IS UNFORTUNATELY
MORE TYPICAL NOW. NOW WE ARE
TALKING ABOUT WE ARE ALREADY IN
LIKE 2030, 2031. AND WE STARTED
IN 2026. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT
FOUR TO FIVE YEARS LATER IS WHEN
THE FULL CYCLE WE HAVE EXPENDED
ALL OF THE FUNDS WE HAVE
COMMITTED TO THE PROJECT, THEY
ARE ON THEIR WAY, AND SO IT
LOOKS AND APPEARS SOMETIMES THAT
MONEY IS SITTING THERE, BUT IT
IS NOT. IT IS COMMITTED AND
MOVING, IT'S JUST THE
DEVELOPMENT CYCLE TAKES LONGER
THAN YOU WOULD THINK TO GET
THROUGH TO FULL COMPLETION, AND
KATE IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO TALK
A LOT ABOUT THAT, AND YOU WILL
SEE THAT ON THE DASHBOARD THAT
SHE EXPLAINS AND HOW, A LOT OF
IT WILL BE POINT IN TIMES, BUT
YOU JUST HAVE TO KIND OF REALIZE
THAT DEPENDING ON THE STAGE,
THERE'S STILL A LOT MORE WORK
TO BE DONE AND A LOT MORE
EXPENDITURES TO BE HAD.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. I ASK
THAT QUESTION A LITTLE BIT AS A
PRELUDE TO WHERE WE ARE HEADED,
BUT I THINK IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT
BECAUSE I BELIEVE COUNCILMEMBER
OR EXCUSE ME COUNCILMEMBER LIN
SPOKE TO THIS PREVIOUSLY. FOR
PROVIDERS LOOKING AT BALANCING
THEIR ASSETS PART OF THE BALANCE
IS DEVELOPMENT AND NEW
CONSTRUCTION. WHEN WE SEE THE
SLOWDOWN IN THE NEW
CONSTRUCTION, WE KNOW THAT ALSO
HITS THEIR STABILITY, AND SO, I
THINK THAT AS MUCH AS WE ARE
SORT OF TALKING OF THESE AS
SEPARATE INVESTMENTS, I THINK
THEY ARE VERY MUCH LINKED, AND
IT'S ALSO, I WOULD SAY MY
BELIEF AS I'M LOOKING AT WHAT
IS HAPPENING, THE SLOWDOWN IN
NEW INVESTMENT DOLLARS IS GOING
TO HAVE AN IMPACT OUTSIDE OF
EVEN SEATTLE'S ABILITY TO
DELIVER ON OUR VISION FOR
INVESTMENT DOLLARS. I WANT TO GO
TO A COUPLE OTHER THINGS THAT I
MAKE SURE ARE PART OF THIS
CONVERSATION BECAUSE WE HAVE
TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE. THE
INCREASED CONSTRUCTION COSTS,
AND I THINK THAT, AND I WANT TO
SAY I KNOW A LOT OF THIS
CONTINUES TO BE THE
STABILIZATION REPORT, BUT IT'S
ALSO LINKED BACK TO THAT, WHEN
WE THINK OF THE BALANCE OF
DOLLARS WE ARE PUTTING FROM
P.E.T. FROM THE HOUSING LEVY,
AND OTHERS, INTO THE TOTAL
NUMBER OF UNITS WE ARE TRYING TO
DELIVER, AND SO IT'S MY CURRENT
UNDERSTANDING IN ORDER TO MEET
THE EXISTING HOUSING LEVY GOALS
WE HAVE, REGARDLESS OF WHAT WE
ARE DOING ON THE OPERATIONS
BALANCING SIDE, WE ARE GOING TO
NEED TO BE INVESTING ADDITIONAL
RESOURCES THAT COME FROM P.E.T.
CAN YOU SPEAK TO THAT? I KNOW WE
HAVE TALKED IN THE COMMITTEE,
BUT AS COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA IS
HERE, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT
WE ARE DAYLIGHTING THAT AS WELL
AS THE OTHER CONSIDERATIONS.
>> IN RESPONSE TO A DIFFERENT
SLIDE THAT WAS PRIMARY SPONSORED
BY COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE, THE
SEATTLE HOUSING AND INVESTMENT
PLAN, WE DID PROVIDE AN UPDATED
PROJECTION OF HOW THE OFFICE OF
HOUSING'S FUNDS WOULD FLOW
THROUGH 2030 IN TO MEETING THE
HOUSING NEEDS THAT OUR CITY
FACES. SO WE STARTED WITH THE
FRAMEWORK PASSED FOR THE 2023
SEATTLE HOUSING LEVY AND UPDATED
THE MODELING FOR THE SEATTLE
HOUSING INVESTMENT PLAN, AND
THAT MODELING, A LOT OF
CONDITIONS HAVE CHANGED IN A
PERIOD OF A COUPLE OF YEARS, AND
MADISON HELPED A LOT WITH THAT.
YOU SEE INTEREST RATES ARE
DIFFERENT. TAX CREDIT PRICING IS
DIFFERENT. OPERATING EXPENSES
HAVE GROWN, AND THE MODEL
CHANGED QUITE A LOT. SUCH THAT,
IN ORDER FOR US TO ACHIEVE OUR
HOUSING LEVY PRODUCTION GOALS,
WE ESTIMATE CONSERVATIVELY, WE
WOULD NEED APPROXIMATELY 300
MILLION OF JUMP START PAYROLL
EXPENSE TAX, CAPITAL INVESTMENT
OVER THAT PERIOD OF TIME THROUGH
2030, TO ACTUALLY ACHIEVE THOSE
GOALS. THE LEVY WON'T BE ABLE
TO DO IT ALONE. WE ARE GOING TO
NEED SOME OF OUR OTHER LOCAL
SOURCES TO GET THAT DONE.
THAT'S IN THAT RESPONSE.
COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE HAS
REQUESTED ANOTHER UPDATE TO THAT
PLAN THIS YEAR. WE WILL BE
BRINGING FORWARD ANOTHER
RESPONSE LATER ON, BUT IT'S
SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE THE COSTS
HAVE GROWN ENORMOUSLY. THE
OFFICE IS COMMITTED TO
MAINTAINING INVESTMENTS IN NEW
PRODUCTION. THAT'S CRITICAL. WE
HAVE TO CONTINUE TO MEET THE
NEEDS WE FACE AND ADDRESS THE
NEEDS OF OUR AGING PORTFOLIO AND
SUPPORT OPERATIONS. WE HAVE TO
DO ALL THINGS.
>> YEP. THANK YOU. AND FINAL
MAYBE COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ON
THIS BEFORE WE GO TO THE LAST
PART OF THE SLIDE PRESENTATION.
I JUST -- WHEN WE ARE THINKING
ABOUT THE INFORMATION THAT YOU
PROVIDED IN TERMS OF THIS
FUNDING ROUND AND THE RESOURCES
AROUND STABILIZATION, ONE OF THE
THINGS I THINK IS IMPORTANT OR
STRUCK ME FROM YOUR
PRESENTATION, WHEN YOU TALKED
ABOUT THINGS FROM THE BUILDINGS
THAT YOU SAW HAD IN COMMON, I
BELIEVE YOU SAID MOST OF THEM
CAME ONLINE IN 2020, AND I KNOW
THERE WERE 13 APPLICANTS, 9
FUNDED. I WANTED TO MAKE SURE
WAS THAT MOST OF THE 13 OR MOST
OF THE 9? AND THEN CAN YOU SPEAK
TO WHY THAT TIMELINE ON THEM
COMING ON MAY HAVE SOME
SIGNIFICANCE?
>> I THINK MY RESPONSE TO YOU
WAS ABOUT THE DASHBOARD. SO THAT
IS ALL OF THE INVESTMENTS THAT
ARE CURRENTLY IN PLAY, THE
MAJORITY OF THOSE HAVE APPLIED
FOR FUNDING FROM THE OFFICE OF
HOUSING SINCE 2021. THERE ARE
SOME OUTLIERS OLDER THAN THAT,
BUT MADISON, I DON'T KNOW IF
YOU CAN SPEAK TO THE AGE OF SOME
OF THE STABILIZATION
INVESTMENTS?
>> WITHOUT KNOWING OFF THE TOP
OF MY HEAD THE DATES OF EACH OF
THE BUILDINGS, MAJORITY I THINK,
IT'S SURPRISING RIGHT HOW NEW
THEY ARE. I THINK THAT POINTS TO
A COUPLE OF FACTORS. ONE HOW
DRASTICALLY DIFFERENT OPERATIONS
WERE DURING THE PANDEMIC.
BUILDINGS UNDERWRITTEN IN 2018,
2019, AND THEN HAD TO COME
ONLINE WITHOUT HAVING CONTRACTS
IN PLACE, STAFF IN PLACE, TO GET
EVERYTHING UP AND GOING, JUST
COST DRASTICALLY MORE, AND ALSO
WITH BUILDINGS, THERE'S A REAL
COST PRESSURE TO MOVE PEOPLE IN
QUICKLY IN ORDER TO EXECUTE AND
GET EQUITY. AT THE SAME TIME,
THE SUPPLY OF STUDIOS AND ONE
BEDROOMS, PROVIDERS CAME ONLINE
AND NEEDED TO LEASE UP WHEN
THERE'S NOT AS MUCH DEMAND FOR
THOSE UNITS, AND THEY MOVED
FOLKS IN QUICKLY AND MIGHT HAVE
CHANGED THEIR METRICS. THAT LED
TO NOT OPERATING IN THE SAME
WAYS OR FOR THE SAME POPULATIONS
THAT WERE ASSUMED AT ORIGINAL
UNDERWRITING. THOSE ARE A COUPLE
OF FACTORS.
>> THERE'S SOME BASIC HUMAN
THINGS, TOO. I WAS WORKING AT A
SUPPORTING HOUSING PROVIDER IN
2020, AND TO LEASE UP A NEW
BUILDING AT A TIME WHEN YOU
CAN'T GET TOGETHER IN COMMUNITY
AND SHARE FOOD AND BUILD THOSE
RELATIONS THAT HELP TO MAKE YOUR
HOME A HOME, IT SET YOU OFF ON A
VERY DIFFICULT PATH. SO MANY OF
THOSE BUILDINGS THAT OPENED IN
THAT PERIOD OF TIME, REALLY
STARTED OFF WITH A DIFFICULT
SITUATION. FOLKS REALLY
ISOLATED, SEPARATE FROM ONE
ANOTHER, AND JUST IN A KIND OF
ODD ENVIRONMENT, SO FOLKS ARE
REALLY CATCHING UP FROM THAT. WE
ARE HEARING A LOT THAT FOLKS ARE
SEEING A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE
TUNNEL, BUT THERE'S STILL
STRUCTURAL ISSUES THAT ARE NOT
GOING AWAY. AMI, INSURANCE, SOME
OF THE REALLY BIG -- PERSONNEL
AND MATERIAL COSTS AND IMPACTING
OPERATIONS, AND THEY WILL BE
HERE FOR AWHILE.
>> KELLI, I ESPECIALLY
APPRECIATE THAT LAST POINT, AND
I WONDER IF YOU CAN SPEAK MORE
WHEN YOU SAY SEEING A LIGHT AT
THE END OF THE TUNNEL AND THOSE
CHANGES. I THINK THIS GETS INTO
THE CRUX OF WHERE WE HAVE BEEN
OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.
I'M NEW TO COUNCIL, BUT I HAVE
BEEN TRACKING FOR AWHILE, AND I
THINK IT REFLECTS THE
CONVERSATIONS I HAVE HAD WITH
PROVIDERS, SEEING CHANGES, AND
ALSO SEEING CHANGES IN HUMAN
BEHAVIOR, BUT NOT THE STRUCTURAL
CHANGES, WHICH IS PART OF WHY IT
INDICATES THE ONGOING NEED FOR
OPERATIONAL RESOURCES. I WILL
GIVE YOU A CHANCE IF YOU WANT TO
SAY ANYTHING, AND THEN I WILL
ASK US TO FINISH OUT THE SLIDES.
>> THE MAJOR STRUCTURAL CHANGES
ARE THE INCREMENTAL EQUALITY AND
THE GROWTH CONTINUING ON THIS
PACE. IT'S VERY CHALLENGING FOR
FOLKS AT THE LOWER END OF THE
INCOME SCALE TO KEEP UP WITH THE
RENTS GROWING AT THIS RATE. THIS
IS SOMETHING WE ARE PAYING
ATTENTION TO AT THE OFFICE, BUT
IT'S A STRUCTURAL CHANGE THAT
WE THINK WILL KEEP GETTING
WORSE. INSURANCE IS A BIG DEAL.
WE HAVE BEEN ASKED TO LOOK AT
THIS. THE STATE HAS BEEN TALKING
ABOUT WAYS TO ADDRESS THE
INSURANCE NEEDS. IT'S NOT
TYPICALLY SOMETHING A
JURISDICTION TAKES ON. I SEE NEW
YORK CITY'S MAYOR IS
CONSIDERING INVESTMENTS FOR
INSURANCE PROVIDERS. IT'S
INTERESTING TO WATCH AND LEARN
FROM THEM WHAT COULD BE
POSSIBLE. WE HAVE A THIRD PARTY
MANAGEMENT PROPERTIES TRYING
THEIR BEST, AND IT'S VERY, VERY
DIFFICULT CONDITIONS OUT THERE
TO KEEP FOLKS STABLY HIRED AND
EMPLOYEED IN THOSE JOBS AND
CONSISTENT PRACTICES IN PLACE ON
THE GROUND. THERE'S A LOT OF
STRUCTURAL CHALLENGES WE ARE
FACING, AND WE ARE TRYING TO
ADDRESS THOSE AS WELL. WE DO
THINK THAT REQUIRES ONGOING
OPERATING SUPPORT IN ORDER TO
KEEP STABILITY FOR THE RESIDENTS
AND FOR THE ORGANIZATIONS FOR
NOW.
>> THANK YOU. OKAY. THOSE ARE MY
QUESTIONS. I'M GOING TO ASK US
TO GO THROUGH THE REMAINDER OF
THE PRESENTATION SO WE CAN SEE
THE DASHBOARD.
>> THANK YOU.
>> HI, I'M KATE ALLEN WITH THE
POLICY AND PLANNING TEAM. I WILL
BE SHIFTING GEARS TO TALK ABOUT
THE NEW DASHBOARD ON HOUSING
INVESTMENTS. SLIDE?
>> I'M SORRY. I'M SO SORRY.
OKAY, AS OF LAST QUARTER, THE
OFFICE OF HOUSING HAD $865
MILLION OF CAPITAL FUNDING
COMMITTED TO CONSTRUCTING AND
PRESERVING OVER 7200 AFFORDABLE
HOMES. TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY
AND PROVIDE MORE FREQUENT
UPDATES ON THESE PROJECTS, WE
ARE RELEASING A DASHBOARD TO
REPORT OUT ON PROJECT MILESTONES
THIS DASHBOARD IS ALSO
RESPONSIVE TO A RECENT STATEMENT
OF LEGISLATIVE INTENT. FINANCING
FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS
COMPLEX. DEVELOPING AFFORDABLE
HOUSING IS A MULTIYEAR PROCESS
FROM PROJECT FINANCING TO
BUILDING OPENING. O.H. STAFF
REGULARLY COMMUNICATE WITH
PARTNERS AND INVESTORS TO
ACHIEVE TIMELINES AND MAXIMIZE
LEVERAGE OF PUBLIC FUNDS.
BECAUSE THIS PROCESS TAKES TIME,
IT'S NOT ALWAYS EASY TO
UNDERSTAND THE PROGRESS THAT WE
ARE MAKING. O.H. PROVIDES
REGULAR REPORTING THROUGH BUDGET
DOCUMENTS, LEVY OVERSIGHT
MATERIALS, REQUIRED ANNUAL
REPORTS, RESPONSES TO CITY
COUNCIL REQUESTS, AND OTHER
PUBLIC REPORTING MECHANISMS.
WITH THIS NEW DASHBOARD, WE WILL
CONSOLIDATE THIS INFORMATION IN
A SINGLE AND ACCESSIBLE LOCATION
WITH MORE FREQUENT UPDATES. THE
HOUSING DOLLARS AND ACTION
DASHBOARD WILL BE ON O.H.'S
PUBLIC FACING WEBSITE. WE WILL
PROVIDE QUARTERLY UPDATES ON
RENTAL AND HOMEOWNERSHIP
PROJECTS WE HAVE COMMITTED FUNDS
TO. THESE PROJECTS INCLUDE NEW
CONSTRUCTION AND ACQUISITIONS
FROM RECENT NOFAs AND RFPs, THE
MAJORITY OF WHICH STARTED IN
2021 OR LATER AND FUNDS FOR
PRESERVATION TO ENSURE HOMES
REMAIN AFFORDABLE FOR MANY YEARS
TO COME. THE DASHBOARD REPORTS
OF THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING
COMMITTED TO THE PROJECTS. THIS
FUNDING COMES FROM THE HOUSING
LEVY, JUMP START P.E.T., MHA,
AND OTHER LOCAL AND FEDERAL FUND
SOURCES. WHEN A PROJECT REACHES
FINANCE CLOSE, THE PROJECT WILL
STAY ON THE DASHBOARD FOR A YEAR
BEFORE DROPPING OFF. THE
DASHBOARD REPORTS ON PROJECTS
SPECIFIC CAPITAL FUNDS, NOT
INCLUDING FUNDS AWARDED FOR
PORTFOLIO WIDE ASSISTANCE LIKE
PRESENTED EARLIER. THIS
DASHBOARD DOES NOT INCLUDE
APPROXIMATELY $60 MILLION OF
OPERATING FUNDS OR DATA ABOUT
LAND USE AND MARKET INCENTIVE
USE. THE DASHBOARD IS
INTERACTIVE. YOU CAN EXPLORE THE
PROJECTS BY NEIGHBORHOOD,
COUNCIL DISTRICT, DEVELOPMENT
STAGE, OR INVESTMENT TYPE. FOR
EXAMPLE, WE CAN USE THE
DASHBOARD TO SEE WHAT PROJECTS
ARE IN THE PIPELINE OR HAVE
RECENTLY OPENED IN A SPECIFIC
COUNCIL DISTRICT. USING THE
FILTERS ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE OF
THE DASHBOARD, WE CAN SELECT
COUNCIL DISTRICT SIX. THE MAP
THAT IS IN THE CENTER OF THE
DASHBOARD ZOOMS IN TO RENTAL AND
HOMEOWNERSHIP PROJECTS WITH O.H.
INVESTMENTS. TO THE RIGHT, WE
CAN SEE THE TOTAL NUMBER OF
HOMES THAT ARE IN PROGRESS, 348
HERE. THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF O.H.
DOLLARS IN ACTION, OVER $46
MILLION, AND THE AMOUNT THAT
THESE PROJECTS HAVE DRAWN TO
DATE, AROUND $27 MILLION AS OF
THE REPORTING PERIOD. THE BAR
GRAPH IN THE MIDDLE OF THE
DASHBOARD SHOWS THE DEVELOPMENT
STAGES OF THESE PROJECTS. WE CAN
SEE THAT IN COUNCIL DISTRICT
SIX, THE MAJORITY OF PROJECTS
ARE IN THE RESET PHASE WITH NEW
RESIDENTS MOVING IN THE BOTTOM
OF THE DASHBOARD LISTS EACH
PROJECT AND KEY MILESTONES SUCH
AS THE DATE THE BUILDING OPENED.
FOR EXAMPLE, ST. LUKE'S
AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPED BY
BRIDGE HOUSING IS ONE OF THE
BUILDINGS LEASING UP IN COUNCIL
DISTRICT SIX. THIS NEWLY
CONSTRUCTED BUILDING OPENED LAST
YEAR WITH 84 AFFORDABLE HOMES
FOR RESIDENTS MAKING 50% TO 60%
OF AREA MEDIAN INCOME. WE
PROVIDED A $16 MILLION LOAN. AS
OF THE REPORTING PERIOD, THEY
HAD USED $11 MILLION OF THIS.
SOON THE PROJECT WILL REACH
FINANCE CLOSE WHEN THE LAST
PORTION OF OUR DEVELOPMENT LOAN
IS PAID OUT AND THE PROJECT WILL
TRANSITION TO A PERMANENT
MORTGAGE. WE CAN ALSO LOOK AT
PROJECTS BY PROGRAM. IF WE LOOK
AT HOMEOWNERSHIP PROJECTS IN
COUNCIL DISTRICT SIX, WE SEE 40
PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE HOMES
RECENTLY COMPLETED OR IN
PROCESS. ONE OF THESE PROJECTS
IS EXPECTED TO OPEN IN MAY OF
THIS YEAR. THIS PROJECT WILL
HAVE 19 PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE
HOMES FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES TO
PURCHASE. O.H. HAS ALMOST $3
MILLION FOR THESE HOMES. AS YOU
CAN SEE FROM THE PHOTO, THE
PROJECT IS VERY CLOSE TO OPENING
AND HAS DRAWN OVER 98% OF THEIR
FUNDING AS OF LAST QUARTER. WE
ARE EXCITED TO WELCOME NEW
FAMILIES TO THEIR HOMES LATER
THIS SPRING. ANOTHER WAY TO LOOK
AT THESE PROJECTS IS BY
NEIGHBORHOOD. IF WE SELECT THE
DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD, WE SEE
THERE ARE OVER 2,000 AFFORDABLE
HOMES IN PROCESS WITH MORE THAN
$176 MILLION IN O.H.
COMMITMENTS. ONE OF THESE
PROJECTS, THE SWEET GRASS FLATS
A BUILDING PROVIDING $19.7
MILLION TO CHIEF SEATTLE CLUB TO
ACQUIRE. THIS BUILDING OPENED IN
JANUARY OF 2025 AND HAS 84 UNITS
OF PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
FOR NATIVE PEOPLES WHO ARE
EXITING HOMELESSNESS. LAST YEAR
THE OFFICE OF HOUSING AWARDED
$33 MILLION TO HOUSING OPERATORS
TO PRESERVE EXISTING AFFORDABLE
RENTAL HOMES AND ENSURE THEY
REMAIN HEALTHY AND STABLE
HOUSING FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE
TENANTS. IF WE USE THE
INVESTMENT TYPE OF FILTER TO
LOOK AT WHERE O.H. HAS
PRESERVATION FUNDS COMMITTED, WE
SEE AS OF THE REPORTING PERIOD,
O.H. HAD $30 MILLION INVESTED TO
PRESERVE HOMES IN THE DOWNTOWN
NEIGHBORHOOD. ONE OF THESE
PROJECTS IS THE MORRISON HOTEL
OPERATED BY DESC. O.H. HAS
COMMITTED $18.9 MILLION TO
PRESERVE THESE 190 UNITS OF
PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING TO
EXTEND THE LIFE OF THESE HOMES
FOR OUR RESIDENTS. PRESERVATION
WORK WILL INCLUDE UPGRADING THE
PLUMBING FOR ALL UNITS,
REPLACING OUTDATED SINGLE PANE
GLASS WINDOWS AND TRANSITIONING
HEATING AND COOLING FOR LOWER
EMISSIONS AND IMPROVED
EFFICIENCY. WE ARE WORKING
CLOSELY WITH OUR CITY PARTNERS
TO MAKE SURE THE DASHBOARD MEETS
THE NEWEST DIGITAL ACCESSIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS AND PLAN TO PUBLISH
THE DASHBOARD ON THE O.H.
WEBSITE BY THE END OF APRIL. AT
THAT TIME IT WILL INCLUDE
UPDATED DATA FOR QUARTER ONE OF
2026. GOING FORWARD WE WILL MAKE
UPDATES TO THE DASHBOARD
QUARTERLY APPROXIMATELY ONE
MONTH AFTER THE QUARTER ENDS.
AGAIN, THIS DASHBOARD ONLY SHOWS
PROJECTS THAT ARE IN PROGRESS OR
RECENTLY COMPLETED. IT DOES NOT
SHOW ALL OF THE AFFORDABLE HOMES
OUR OFFICE FUNDS OR ADMINISTERS.
WE ARE WORKING ON BUILDING MORE
PUBLIC FACING MAPS AND
DASHBOARDS TO SHOW ALL OF THESE
HOMES. WE WILL BE EXCITED TO
SHARE MORE INFORMATION WHEN
THOSE ARE AVAILABLE. THANK YOU
FOR YOUR TIME. WE ARE HAPPY TO
ANSWER QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. AS ALWAYS,
I WILL TURN TO MY COLLEAGUES ON
THE COMMITTEE FIRST TO SEE IF
YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE
OFFICE OF HOUSING. OKAY, I'M
NOT SEEING ANY QUESTIONS. I
APPRECIATE THIS DASHBOARD. I
THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A REALLY
IMPORTANT PART OF ENSURING THAT
WE HAVE TRANSPARENCY. I THINK
IT'S ALSO HOPEFULLY GOING TO
HELP EXPLAIN FOR THE PUBLIC SOME
OF WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT TODAY IN
TERMS OF WHY SOMETIMES IT TAKES
A PERIOD OF TIME FOR THOSE
DOLLARS TO GO FROM COMMITTED TO
BEING FULLY OUT THE DOOR ONCE
THE BUILDING IS LEASED UP, GIVEN
THAT TIMELINE IT TAKES AFTER WE
HAVE MADE A COMMITMENT FOR OUR
PARTNERS TO GET COMMITMENTS FROM
OTHER FUNDING INVESTORS AND
OTHER HOUSING TAX CREDITS. I
WILL JUST SAY I, MYSELF,
APPRECIATE THE ABILITY TO SEE
THE PHASES OF RESOURCES IN THIS
DASHBOARD, AS WELL AS THE
ABILITY TO SEE WHERE PROJECTS
ARE BY NEIGHBORHOOD, AND I THINK
THAT'S A REALLY EXCITING WAY
FOR US TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE
ALSO TRACKING OUR OWN
ACCOUNTABILITY ON ENSURING WE
HAVE INVESTMENTS IN AFFORDABLE
HOUSING ACROSS THE CITY. WE KNOW
THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO
BUILDING A THRIVING CITY AND
LIVABLE CITY, HAVING THOSE MIXED
INCOME COMMUNITIES AND
NEIGHBORHOODS. THOSE ARE TWO
THINGS I'M EXCITED TO SEE FROM
THIS TOOL. I DO SEE A QUESTION
FROM COUNCILMEMBER RINCK.
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR. VERY
EXCITED ABOUT THE DASHBOARD AS A
TOOL TO VISUALIZE AND SEE THE
PROJECTS. IT'S TREMENDOUSLY
HELPFUL. IN LOOKING THROUGH, I
DID NOTICE THERE'S A LOT OF
PROJECTS THAT ARE IN MOTION, BUT
THERE ARE SOME NEIGHBORHOODS WHO
HAVE NO PROJECTS, THINKING
SPECIFICALLY ABOUT MAGNOLIA,
SOUTHLAKE, EAST LAKE, AND MUCH
OF NORTHEAST SEATTLE, SO I'M
WONDERING IF YOU CAN SPEAK TO
SOME OF THE GEOGRAPHIC GAPS ON
THE MAP AND HOW WE CAN GET
PROJECTS MOVING IN EVERY
NEIGHBORHOOD.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTION.
MANY OF OUR PROJECTS ARE
RESPONSIVE TO APPLICATIONS THAT
WE RECEIVE. SO A DEVELOPER FINDS
A PROPERTY, THEY GO THROUGH A
LITTLE BIT OF DUE DILIGENCE AND
SAY, OKAY, I WANT TO DEVELOP
THIS, AND THEN THEY PUT TOGETHER
AN APPLICATION FOR FUNDING TO
THE OFFICE OF HOUSING. THAT'S
THE APPLICATION WE REVIEW. WE
ARE CONSTRAINED BY THE
APPLICATIONS WE GET, AND MANY OF
THE APPLICATIONS YOU WILL SEE
ARE -- IT KIND OF FALLS RIGHT
ALONG WHERE ZONING ALLOWS FOR
DENSER OR DENSITY. AND SO JUST
TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, YOU CAN
PROBABLY LOOK AT THE COMP PLAN
AND SEE THE ZONING AND SEE WHERE
MANY OF OUR PROJECTS ARE, AND IT
KIND OF ALIGNS WHERE IT'S
ALLOWABLE.
>> THE OTHER PIECE IS ABOUT
AFFORDABILITY. WE TYPICALLY TRY
TO GET AS MUCH AS WE CAN WITH
EVERY DOLLAR WE HAVE.
APPLICATIONS ARE COMPETITIVE
WHEN THEY CAN BRING FORWARD MORE
PROJECTS FOR FEWER FUNDS. LAND
IN THOSE PARTS OF THE CITY THAT
YOU CALLED OUT IS MORE
EXPENSIVE. THIS IS PART OF WHY
WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT MORE
PROACTIVE INVESTMENTS AT THE
OFFICE IN SITE-BASED
DEVELOPMENT, THAT'S THE
EXCITING THING ABOUT FORT
LAWTON. IT'S PART OF THE CITY
WHERE WE HAVE NOTHING. WE HAVE
SOME OTHER -- SOUTH PARK IS ALSO
KIND OF IN AN AREA WE DON'T
HAVE VERY MANY INVESTMENTS, BUT
WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE, SO
IT'S A GREAT QUESTION. THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU. JUST WANTED TO,
YOU KNOW, TIE THE THREAD
TOGETHER BETWEEN OUR COMP PLAN
WORK AND THE IMPORTANT WORK
HAPPENING AT O.H. THANK YOU ALL,
THANK YOU, CHAIR.
>> COLLEAGUES, ANY FURTHER
QUESTIONS? OKAY. SEEING NONE,
THANK YOU SO MUCH, O.H. THIS
CONCLUDES THE BUSINESS COMING
BEFORE THE COMMITTEE TODAY. WITH
THAT, WE ARE CONCLUDING THE
APRIL 22,2026 MEETING OF
HOUSING, ARTS, S, AND CIVIL
RIGHTS COMMITTEE. OUR NEXT
MEETING IS MAY 13th. THANK YOU
FOR ATTENDING. IT IS 4:16