>> FANTASTIC. GOOD AFTERNOON,
EVERYONE JUNE 24, 2026 MEETING
OF THE COMMITTEE WILL COME TO
ORDER. IT IS TO: 01 -- 2: 01
P.M. I AM DONNIE FOSTER. PLEASE
CALL THE ROLL.
>> [ ROLL BEING CALLED ]
>> THERE ARE THREE MEMBERS
PRESENT.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT
HOLLINGSWORTH AND JUAREZ HAVE
BEEN EXCUSED AND WELCOME,
EVERYONE, TO THE ONLINE SPECIAL
WORLD CUP GAME DAY COMMITTEE
MEETING OF HOUSING, ARTS AND
CIVIL RIGHTS. WE ARE MOSTLY
REMOTE TODAY. IF THERE IS NO
OBJECTION, THE AGENDA WILL BE
ADOPTED. HEARING NO OBJECTION,
THE AGENDA IS ADOPTED. WE WILL
OPEN THE HYBRID PUBLIC COMMENT
PERIOD. COMMENTS SHOULD RELATE
TO ITEMS ON TODAY'S AGENDA.
CLERK, HOW MANY SPEAKERS ARE
SIGNED UP TODAY?
>> NO IN PERSON SPEAKERS AND
FOUR REMOTE SPEAKERS.
>> FANTASTIC.
>> SINCE THERE ARE FEWER THAN 30
SPEAKERS, EACH SPEAKER WILL HAVE
TWO MINUTES. PLEASE READ THE
PUBLIC, AND INSTRUCTIONS AND IF
THERE ARE NO IN PERSON SPEAKERS,
WE WILL START WITH ONLINE.
>> UP TO 60 MINUTES AND SPEAKERS
WILL BE CALLED IN AN ORDER IN
WHICH THEY ARE REGISTERED.
SPEAKERS WILL HILLER -- HERE
ANYTIME. IF THEY DO NOT END
THERE, IT'S WITHIN THE ALLOTTED
TIME, WHICH ALLOWS US TO CALL
ONTO THE NEXT SPEAKER. THE
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS NOW
OPEN. WE WILL BEGIN WITH THE
FIRST SPEAKER. DANIEL GRAY,
FOLLOWED BY NICK.
>> CLERK, DO WE NEED TO GIVE
DANIEL INSTRUCTIONS TO GET OFF
MUTE?
>> YES. DANIEL SHOULD BE ALLOWED
TO TALK AND PRESS STAR SIX WHEN
YOU HEAR THE PROMPT.
>> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON. MY
NAME IS DANIEL. I WOULD LIKE TO
ASK AT THIS COMMITTEE FOR AN
AUDIT OF ALL RENT INCREASES OF
HOUSING PORTFOLIO SINCE 2023.
OPERATING BUDGETS OPEN DATA
PORTAL. FOR YEARS, OVERSIGHT
COMMITTEE HAVE DISCUSSED THAT
REGULATED AFFORDABLE HOUSING THE
MEETING MINUTES STATE THAT
MARKET RATE RENT AND RENT ARE
OVERLAPPED PER RESTRICTED CAN BE
HIGHER THAN ACTUAL MARKET RATE.
DECIDED TO ADDRESS THIS HIGH
RENT THROUGH UNDERWRITING. THIS
APPROACH IS NEW AND MANY
EXISTING ALREADY IN CONTROL ON
RENT INCREASES. HAS BEEN
ACKNOWLEDGING RENT IS TOO HIGH,
ALSO BEEN ADVISING PROJECTS TO
INCREASE RENT. LOOKING AT ONE
PROJECT RESTRUCTURING THE
ATTORNEY'S OFFICE DESCRIBED AS
AN ENORMOUS CASH OUT. THE
COVENANT TIED RENT INCREASES TO
EQUITABLE SHARES OF OPERATING
COSTS. DO NOT TAKE INCREASED
OPERATING EXPENSES AT THIS
VALUE. AFTER THE CASH OUT,
COVENANT CHANGED TO AN INCREASE
OF APPROXIMATELY 4% A YEAR.
ROUGHLY 35% RENT INCREASES OVER
THREE YEARS WITH ANOTHER
INCREASE EXPECTED SOON. THE LAND
COVENANT ALSO HAS DIRECTION ON
WHAT IS DUE. PLEASE PUBLISH
PROJECT BUDGETS, OPEN DATA AND
AUDITS OF RENT INCREASES FOR
COMPLIANCE. ENDING WITH AUGUST
2025 HOUSING OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
MINUTES I QUOTE, BECAUSE
DEVELOPERS ARE FINDING, THEY'RE
HAVING TROUBLE LEASING UP. SOME
ARE TRYING TO GET PUBLIC FUNDERS
TO TAKE ON THE PROJECT, BUT THE
PUBLIC ABSORBS RISK AND
FINANCIAL LOSS INSTEAD OF
DEVELOPERS. THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER WILL BE
NICK, FOLLOWED BY ALBERTO.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON,
COUNCILMEMBERS. I'M HERE TO
COMMENT ON COUNSEL BILL 121236
REGARDING THE PROPERTY AT 2929
27th AVENUE SOUTH. MY NAME IS
NICK AND I SERVE AS THE DIRECTOR
RELATIONS WITH THE REINDEER
VALLEY EARLY LEARNING CAMPUS
WHERE THE SITE WILL HOUSE OUR
EARLY LEARNING CAMPUS . AS A
MEMBER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF
WASHINGTON COLLEGE OF EDUCATION,
WE ARE EXCITED TO BE A PARTNER
IN THE PROJECT AND I'M HAPPY TO
LEND MY VOICE TO SUPPORT FOR
WHAT WE ENVISION. OUR VISION IS
TO CREATE EARLY LEARNING HUB OF
EXCELLENCE THAT DOES THREE
THINGS AND FIRST PROVIDE AN
ADDITIONAL'S S.W.A.T. FOR CARE
FOR CHILDREN IN THE VALLEY,
ESPECIALLY THOSE IN FUTURE
HOUSING UNITS, WHICH INCLUDES
ACCESS TO TODDLER CARE. SECOND,
HANDS-ON RESEARCH AND TRAINING
OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNIVERSITY OF
WASHINGTON STUDENTS PURSUING
CAREERS IN EARLY LEARNING
EDUCATION. FROM CLASSROOM
TEACHERS, RESEARCHERS,
POLICYMAKERS. THIS IS A MAIN
PILLAR OF OUR PROJECT TO CREATE
SUSTAINABLE PROGRAM TO DIVERSIFY
AND STRENGTHEN EARLY LEARNING
WORKFORCE HERE IN SEATTLE AND
OUR STATE. LASTLY, WE WILL
PROVIDE A PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR
EARLY LEARNING PROVIDERS NOT
ONLY IN THE REINDEER VALLEY AND
THROUGHOUT SEATTLE, BUT ACROSS
THE STATE. WE ARE EXCITED TO
SHARE THAT THE UW -- SEVERAL UW
HEALTH SCIENCES SERVICES
MEDICINE DENTISTRY, SOCIAL WORK
HAVE AGREED TWO SMALL OFFICES
WITHIN THE BUILDING, SO THINK
ABOUT VACCINE CLINICS, DENTAL
HYGIENE WORKSHOPS AND OTHER
PROGRAMS. WHILE THESE CLINICAL
SERVICES CREATE MEANINGFUL
OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO
ENGAGE WITH THE COMMUNITY WHILE
HELPS EDUCATION. WITH YOUR
SUPPORT FOR THE BILL, THIS
ENDEAVOR WILL NOT ONLY
STRENGTHEN EARLY LEARNING
WORKFORCE IN OUR CITY AND STATE
AND THE POTENTIAL TO BECOME A
NATIONAL MODEL FOR A STRONG
UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP
IN EARLY LEARNING CAN LOOK LIKE
WITH STRONG SUPPORT FROM LOCAL
LEADERS AND GOVERNMENT, SUCH AS
YOUR SELF. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
TIME.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS ALBERTO
FOLLOWED BY ESTELLA ORTEGA.
>> THANK YOU. THE COUNCIL MAKES
ROLLS WITHOUT VOICING OPINIONS
ON CAMPAIGN ISSUES OR JUDICIAL
MATTERS. PROTECTED SPEECH.
EXAMPLE, THERE ARE
COUNCILMEMBERS WHO GRANDSTAND ON
THE DAIS ABOUT THEIR OWN
CAMPAIGN ISSUES USING OUR PUBLIC
DOLLARS TO GRANT TV AND RADIO
INTERVIEWS THE SETTING THERE
TALKING POINTS. AND, USING UP
GOVERNMENT TIME TO HOLD PRESS
CONFERENCES. OVERLY CRITICIZE
COUNCILMEMBERS. ARROGANT AND IN
VIOLATION OF OUR FREEDOM TO HOLD
YOU ALL ACCOUNTABLE. FOR
JUDICIAL MATTERS, WE ARE WELL
WITHIN OUR RIGHTS OF ANY CURRENT
MATTER IN THE COURTS AND SPEAK
OUR OPINION RELATED TO ANY
PENDING ADJUDICATION. LIMIT
COMMENT ON COURT MATTERS IS ONLY
ON YOU AS POLITICIANS WHO MIGHT
BE INVOLVED IN SUCH COURT CASES.
HOWEVER, THE PUBLIC HAS GOD
GIVEN RIGHTS -- ALL IS TO SAY
THAT COUNSEL SHOULD STRIKE RULES
THAT LIMIT FREE SPEECH FROM THE
PUBLIC. POLITICIANS HAVE THE
RIGHT TO FEEL EMBARRASSED OR THE
RIGHT TO FEEL ASHAMED. THE
COUNCIL HAS NO RIGHT TO TELL US
WE CAN'T CRITICIZE MEMBERS WITH
THEIR POLITICAL PLATFORM. THANK
YOU ALL AND HAVE A GOOD DAY.
>> OUR FINAL SPEAKER IS ESTELLA
ORTEGA.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, CHAIR FOSTER
AND COUNCILMEMBERS. I NAME IS
ESTELLA ORTEGA AND I AM THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. I AM HERE
TODAY TO EXPRESS OUR STRONG
SUPPORT FOR COUNSEL BILL 121 TO
36 REGARDING THE GROUND LEASE AT
THE PROPERTY 2929 27th AVENUE.
WE ARE PROUD TO PARTNER WITH
MERCY HOUSING ON THIS EXCITING
INNOVATIVE AND TRANSFORMATIVE
PROJECT. TOGETHER, WE HAVE
WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE OFFICE
OF HOUSING, MULTIPLE CITY
DEPARTMENTS AND OUTSTANDING
DESIGN TEAM TO REIMAGINE THE
STATION AREA BY CREATING VIBRANT
INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY THAT
REFLECTS THE NEED AND
ASPIRATIONS OF SEATTLE
RESIDENTS. THROUGH EXTENSIVE
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT, CREATING A
NEIGHBORHOOD THAT IS WELCOMING,
SAFE, DIVERSE, ACCESSIBLE AND
COMMUNITY CENTERED. THESE VALUES
ARE AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING
WE ARE BUILDING. THIS PROJECT
WILL PROVIDE 241 MORE AFFORDABLE
HOMES FOR WORKING FAMILIES AND
EMPHASIS ON LARGER TWO, THREE,
FOUR BEDROOM APARTMENTS THAT ARE
DESPERATELY NEEDED IN THE CITY
AND INCLUDE A NEW REINDEER
VALLEY EARLY LEARNING CAMPUS IN
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UNIVERSITY
WASHINGTON PROVIDING 35,000
SQUARE FEET DEDICATED TO
CHILDCARE AND EDUCATIONAL
OPPORTUNITY. IN ADDITION TO
DEVELOPMENT, FUTURE COMMERCIAL
SPACE FOR LOCALLY OWNED
BUSINESSES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT, HELPING STRENGTHEN
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES . AT THE
CENTER, A LARGE PUBLIC OPEN
SPACE FOR RESIDENTS AND
NEIGHBORS TOGETHER AND CELEBRATE
AND CONNECT WITH ONE ANOTHER. WE
ARE WORKING UNDER A TIGHT
TIMELINE TO REACH CLOSING AND
BEGIN CONSTRUCTION. FOR THAT
REASON, WE ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT
OF THE LEGISLATION, SO WE CAN
MOVE FORWARD WITH CRITICAL
COMMUNITY BENEFITS.
CONSIDERATION AND COMMITMENT TO
CREATING AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN
THRIVING COMMUNITIES IN SEATTLE.
THANK YOU.
>> THERE ARE NO ADDITIONAL
REGISTERED SPEAKERS.
>> FANTASTIC. THANK YOU SO MUCH
AND THANK YOU TO OUR PUBLIC
COMMENTERS TODAY FOR JOINING US
AND SHARING. APPRECIATE IT. WITH
THAT, WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE
FIRST ITEM OF BUSINESS. WILL THE
CLERK PLEASE READ ITEM ONE INTO
THE RECORD?
>> AGENDA ITEM ONE, COUNSEL BILL
121218, ORDINANCE RELATING TO
HOUSING FOR LOW INCOME
HOUSEHOLDS. ADOPTING THE 2023
SEATTLE HOUSING LEVY
ADMINISTERED OF AND FINANCIAL
PLAN FOR PROGRAM YEARS
2026-2028. ADOPTING HOUSING
FUNDING POLICIES FOR PROGRAM
YEARS 2026 TO 2028 FOR THE 2023
SEATTLE HOUSING LEVY AND OTHER
FUND RESOURCES. AUTHORIZING
ACTIONS BY DIRECTOR OF HOUSING
AND REGARDING PAST AND FUTURE
HOUSING LOANS AND CONTRACTS AND
RATIFYING CONFIRMING PRIOR ACTS.
BRIEFING DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE
VOTE.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
COLLEAGUES, I'M EXCITED TO HAVE
THIS IN FRONT OF US TODAY FOR
POSSIBLE VOTE. WE WILL BE VOTING
ON UPDATES TO THE HOUSING
FUNDING POLICIES AND
ADMINISTERED OF AND FINANCIAL
PLAN, WHICH DIRECTS HOW THE
OFFICE OF HOUSING ADMINISTERS
HOUSING FUNDS, INCLUDING HOUSING
LEVY RESOURCES AND JUMPSTART
DOLLARS. AT OUR LAST MEETING, WE
HAD A PRESENTATION FROM THE
OFFICE OF HOUSING ON THIS ITEM.
AS A REMINDER, THE ITEMS ARE
UPDATED EVERY TWO YEARS AND THE
LEGISLATION DOES NOT PROPOSE
MAJOR UPDATES, BUT RATHER
CHILDREN CHANGES MADE IN 2024. I
WANT TO THANK THE OFFICE OF
HOUSING TO THEM FOR THEIR
INCREDIBLE WORK ON THIS UPDATE,
AS WELL AS THE MAYOR'S OFFICE
FOR BRINGING THESE FORWARD.
COLLEAGUES, I WILL INTRODUCE AN
AMENDMENT TO THE LEGISLATION
HERE IN A MOMENT. PRIOR TO DOING
THAT, I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT
WE ARE JOINED FROM CENTRAL STUFF
AND PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR
ANY COLLEAGUES TO ASK QUESTIONS
AROUND THE UNDERLYING
LEGISLATION PRIOR TO MOVING THE
AMENDMENT FORWARD. COLLEAGUES, I
WILL PAUSE TO SEE IF THERE ARE
FINAL QUESTIONS. SEEING NONE.
YOU WILL GET ANOTHER CHANCE
BEFORE WE VOTE. SEEING NONE. I
WANT TO INTRODUCE AN AMENDMENT
THAT MY OFFICE CIRCULATED TO
COMMITTEE MEMBERS YESTERDAY AND
YOU ALSO RECEIVED A PHYSICAL
COPY OF THE AMENDMENT. WHAT THIS
AMENDMENT ADDRESSES IS PART OF
THE 2025 AWARDS, OFFICE OF
HOUSING FOR THE FIRST TIME
INCLUDED DEBT RESTRUCTURING AND
STABILIZATION. THAT WAS ALREADY
AN ALLOWABLE USE OF FUNDS. WHAT
THIS AMENDMENT DOES IS PROVIDE
DETAILS ON THE PROCESS FOR
OFFICE OF HOUSING TO MAKE FUNDS
AVAILABLE. THIS AMENDMENT ALSO
CLARIFIES THE OFFICE OF HOUSING
MAY MAKE SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING
ADJUSTMENTS IN ORDER TO
FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION FINANCE
CLOSING OR FACILITATE CONVERSION
FROM CONSTRUCTION TO PERMANENT
FINANCING. AGAIN, THIS IS
ALREADY A PRACTICE, BUT
PROVIDING CLARITY AND BOUNDARIES
AT THE HFP LEVEL AND WE THINK IT
WILL BE HELPFUL TO PROVIDE
GUIDANCE AND CERTAINTY FOR THE
OFFICE OF HOUSING. FINALLY, IT
PROVIDES DISCUSSION TO THE
OFFICE OF HOUSING FOR WHEN THEY
CAN REQUIRE FUNDING ADJUSTMENTS
TO BE MADE ADMINISTRATIVELY
VERSUS WHEN THE FUNDING
ADJUSTMENTS NEED TO BE DONE
THROUGH COMPETITIVE PROCESS.
THOSE ARE THE THREE THINGS DONE
IN THE AMENDMENT AND I MAY HAVE
TAKEN TRACY'S JOB FROM HER.
SORRY, TRACY. I'M SURE THERE
WILL BE TO -- PLENTY OF
QUESTIONS. I WANT TO MOVE TO
AMEND COUNSEL BILL 121218 AS
PRESENTED ON AMENDMENT ONE. IS
THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED. ARE THERE COMMENTS AND
QUESTIONS ON AMENDMENT ONE?
>> COUNCILMEMBER LIN, I SEE YOU
OFF MUTE.
>> THAT WAS TO SECOND IT. BEAT
ME TO IT.
>> FANTASTIC.
>> TRACY, I WILL OFFER IF THERE
ARE ADDITIONAL COMMENTS YOU WANT
TO PROVIDE ON THE CONTEXT OF THE
AMENDMENT IF I DIDN'T TAKE THE
WHOLE SHOW WITH MY COMMENT.
>> PROBLEM WHEN THE COUNSELORS
WANT TO TAKE OUR JOBS AWAY FROM
US AND WHO KNOW WELL ENOUGH
ABOUT WHAT IT IS THEY ARE
PROPOSING THAT THEY CAN ACTUALLY
SPEAK TO IT. YOU DID A FINE JOB.
THIS LANGUAGE, AGAIN, A LOT OF
AUTHORITY, EXISTING AUTHORITY
AND FUNDING POLICIES TO DO THESE
KINDS OF ALLOCATIONS PROVIDING
MORE DETAIL ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE
DOING AND WHAT THEY HAVE DONE IN
THE PAST IN TERMS OF TRYING TO
DEAL WITH SOME OF THE CHALLENGES
FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND ON
THE OPERATIONS SIDE. PROVIDING
MORE TRANSPARENCY ABOUT THE TYPE
OF ACTIVITIES THEY ARE INVOLVED
IN TO TRY TO SUPPORT OUR
AFFORDABLE HOUSING. SPECIFIC
ADDS TO THE FUNDING POLICIES IN
TERMS OF TRANSPARENCY AND
PROCESS.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT, TRACY. I
WILL CLOSE WITH EXPRESSING
APPRECIATION TO THE OFFICE OF
HOUSING STAFF OR WORKING CLOSELY
WITH MY OFFICE ON THIS AMENDMENT
AND BACK AND COLLABORATION TO
BRING IT FORWARD AND I THINK IT
IS SOMETHING THAT WE ALL THINK
DOES A GOOD JOB AT MEETING NEEDS
AND ELEVATING TRANSPARENCY, SO
WITH THAT, I WILL ASK THE CLERK
TO CALL THE ROLL ON THE ADOPTION
OF AMENDMENT ONE.
>> [ ROLL BEING CALLED ]
>> THREE VOTES IN FAVOR AND NONE
OPPOSED.
>> THE MOTION CARRIES AND
AMENDMENT ONE IS ADOPTED.
COLLEAGUES, I WILL TURN TO YOU
ONE MORE TIME IF THERE ANY FINAL
COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS BEFORE WE
VOTE ON CB 121218 AS AMENDED.
FANTASTIC. WITH THAT, A MOVE THE
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED ADOPTION
OF COUNSEL BILL 121218. IS THERE
A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> MOVED AND SECONDED TO
RECOMMEND ADOPTION OF COUNSEL
BILL 121218 AS AMENDED. ANY
FURTHER COMMENTS? SEEING NONE.
WILL THE CLERK CALL THE ROLL ON
ADOPTION TO PASS? THE SPECIAL
WORLD CUP EDITION, WILL THE
CLERK CALL THE ROLL ON THE
RECOMMENDATION THAT THE
COUNTABLE -- COUNSEL PASS
COUNSEL BILL 121218 AS AMENDED?
>> [ ROLL BEING CALLED ]
>> THE MOTION CARRIES AND
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION THAT
THE COUNSEL PASS THE BILL AS
AMENDED SENT TO THE JUNE 30 2026
CITY COUNCIL MEETING. THANK YOU
SO MUCH. WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO
AGENDA ITEM TWO. WHAT THE CLERK
CALL ITEM TWO INTO THE RECORD.
>> COUNSEL BILL 121236,
ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE OFFICE
OF HOUSING, GRANTING A GROUND
LEASE OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED
AT 2929 27th AVENUE SOUTH
AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF
OFFICE OF HOUSING TO GRANT A
LEASE OF REAL PROPERTY PHASE ONE
LLLP, AFFILIATE OF MERCY HOUSING
NORTHWEST AND EL CENTRO
AUTHORIZING RELATED AGREEMENTS
AND ACTION SUPPORTIVE ELEMENT OF
AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND
COMMERCIAL SPACE INTENDED TO BE
USED FOR EARLY LEARNING
CHILDCARE CENTER AND ASSOCIATED
USES. BRIEFING, DISCUSSION AND
POSSIBLE VOTE.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. WE WILL
HEAR FROM INTERIM DIRECTOR OF
OFFICE OF HOUSING AND JESSICA
GOMEZ WHO WILL PRESENT ON THE
BILL AND JOIN VIRTUALLY. PRIOR
TO WHEN I HANDED OVER TO THEM, I
WANT TO SEE A FEW WORDS ABOUT
THE NEXT THREE BILLS IN FRONT OF
US AND I'M EXCITED ABOUT EACH
OF THEM FOR DIFFERENT REASONS.
THEY EACH DEMONSTRATE
OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO TAKE ON
IMPORTANT WORK RELATED TO
PORTABILITY AS WELL AS PROMOTING
HOMEOWNERSHIP AND HIGH QUALITY
OF LIVING FOR OUR RESIDENTS WHO
ARE ACCESSING HOUSING THROUGH
OUR PORTFOLIO. WE HEARD FROM THE
PUBLIC COMMENTERS TODAY FROM EL
CENTRO, AS WELL AS UNIVERSITY OF
WASHINGTON ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE
OF THE MOUNT BAKER SITE AND I
WILL REITERATE THAT IT PUTS US
ON TRACK TO BUILD 241 NEW UNITS
OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING RIGHT NEXT
TO A LIGHT RAIL STATION IN A
COMMUNITY RIGHT ACROSS THE HIGH
SCHOOL AND SO MANY OTHER
IMPORTANT COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
AND AMENITIES. I'M GRATEFUL FOR
THE ONGOING WORK AND LEADERSHIP
ABOUT CENTRO HOUSING, UNIVERSITY
OF WASHINGTON AND SO MANY OTHERS
WHO DID HARD WORK TO GET US HERE
AND I WANT TO EXPRESS MY
APPRECIATION TO THE MAYOR'S
OFFICE ON THIS. ALL OF THE
OFFICES HAVE BEEN OFFERED THE
CHANCE TO BE BRIEFED BY OFFICE
OF HOUSING PRIOR TO THE
COMMITTEE MEETING. WE WILL HEAR
FROM OH ON THIS ITEM AND PUT IT
UP FOR QUESTIONS FROM COMMITTEE
MEMBERS PRIOR TO PROCEEDING FOR
A VOTE. AS YOU HEARD FROM THE
PUBLIC COMMENTERS, FOLKS ARE
MOVING FORWARD ON A VERY
IMPORTANT AND TIGHT CONSTRUCTION
TIMELINE AND WE WANT TO MAKE
SURE WE ARE ABLE FOR THEM TO
PROCEED WITH THEIR WORK. WITH
THAT, I AM PLEASED TO HANDED
OVER TO OH WHO WILL SHARE MORE
DETAILS ABOUT THE PROJECT AND I
SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I'M
EXCITED TO HAVE VICE CHAIR LIN
AS THIS IS TAKING HIS DISTRICT
IN DISTRICT TWO, SO LOOKING
FORWARD TO THIS PRESENTATION AND
CONVERSATION TODAY. OFFICE OF
HOUSING TEAM, OVER TO YOU.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL
MEMBERS. I AM ANDREA AKITA,
INTERIM DIRECTOR OF SEATTLE
OFFICE OF HOUSING . I WILL HAVE
JESSICA INTRODUCE HERSELF.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY.
I'M JESSICA GOMEZ FROM THE
OFFICE OF HOUSING ON THE POLICY
AND PLANNING TEAM.
>> I AM PLEASED TO BE HERE THIS
AFTERNOON WITH MY COLLEAGUES
FROM THE OFFICE OF HOUSING AND
I'M EXCEEDINGLY PROUD OF THE
WORK WE ARE DOING AT OH WHERE WE
PARTNER TO CREATE AFFORDABLE
HOUSING BY EQUITABLY INVESTING
TO PREVENT DISPLACEMENT AND
INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR
PEOPLE TO LIVE IN SEATTLE. WORK
AND COMMITMENT IS DRIVEN BY A
VISION THAT I KNOW IS SHARED BY
COUNCILMEMBERS FOR OUR CITY TO
BE A PLACE WHERE EVERYONE HAS A
HEALTHY AND AFFORDABLE HOME AND
WE ARE EXCITED TO SHARE PROGRESS
ON SEVERAL PROJECTS THAT
FURTHERS OH'S MISSION. THE
REDEVELOPMENT OF CITY-OWNED
SITES ADJACENT TO THE MOUNT
BAKER LIGHT RAIL STATION WITH A
SIGNIFICANT COMMUNITY, PUBLIC
AND PRIVATE COLLABORATION. THE
LEGISLATION FOR YOUR
CONSIDERATION WILL AUTHORIZE
OFFICE OF HOUSING TO EXECUTE 99
YEAR GROUND LEASE FOR THE FIRST
PHASE OF REDEVELOPMENT WITH A
LEASE TERM THAT REQUIRES
DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION OF 239
UNITS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR
HOUSEHOLDS WITH LOW INCOMES.
ALONG WITH DEDICATED SPACE OF
EARLY LEARNING RESEARCH
FACILITY. I WILL HAND IT OVER TO
JESSICA WHO WILL WALK IT THROUGH
THE STEPS
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, ANDREA.
THIS IS A BRIEF LOOK AT THE
TIMELINE, SO GOING BACK A LITTLE
BIT. WE FOCUS EVERYBODY. IN JUNE
2020, UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
TRANSFERRED THE SITES TO THE
CITY OF SEATTLE WITH A PHOTO
HOUSING, EDUCATION, RESEARCH AND
CLINICAL USES, INCLUDING EARLY
LEARNING AND CARE ON THE SITE.
IT CONSISTS OF THREE PARCELS
TOTALING 3.79 ACRES . LATER ON
IN JUNE 2023, OFFICE OF HOUSING
PUBLISHED A REQUEST FOR
QUALIFICATIONS AND LATER IN
OCTOBER OF 2023, REQUEST FOR
PROPOSALS PUBLISHED. JULY 2024,
HOUSING NORTHWEST WERE
DESIGNATED AND AWARDED PHASE ONE
AND TWO WITH ALL AFFORDABLE
RENTAL PROJECTS. THIS MONTH,
DEMOLITION BEGINS ON THE LARGE
LAUNDRY SITE BUILDING, SO WE ARE
EXCITED ABOUT THAT. CLOSING,
CONSTRUCTION CLOSING WILL HAPPEN
AND UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
RAINIER VALLEY EARLY LEARNING
CENTER GOING ON THE GROUND FLOOR
AND 239 UNITS OF AFFORDABLE
HOUSING WITH TWO MANAGER UNITS,
SO EQUALING 241 UNITS WILL
START. IN PHASE TWO, IT WILL
START RIGHT AFTER WITH
PRE-DEVELOP AND STARTING RIGHT
AFTER CLOSING IN OCTOBER.
PREDEVELOPMENT LATER LAST
QUARTER OF 2026 BUT THE
ESTIMATED GOAL OF 91 UNITS. NEXT
SLIDE.
>> PROJECT LOCATION. MAKE SURE
EVERYONE CAN SEE THE MAP AND GET
ACQUAINTED. IT IS IN THE MOUNT
BAKER NEIGHBORHOOD RIGHT OUTSIDE
THE RAIL STATION AND ON THE
RIGHT SIDE YOU CAN SEE THE
PARCELS OUTLINED IN YELLOW. NEXT
SLIDE. THIS IS THE 3-D RENDERING
OF THE VISION FOR THE SITE.
THERE ARE FOUR BUILDINGS IN
TOTAL AND THE DEVELOPMENT WILL
INTEGRATE THE SURROUNDING
COMMUNITY MAKING IT ACCESSIBLE
TO TRANSIT RIDERS, COMMUNITY
MEMBERS AND GOING TO THE RAINIER
VALLEY EARLY LEARNING CENTER
OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON. NEXT
SLIDE. THE PROJECT OVERVIEW AS I
MENTIONED EARLIER, HOUSING AT EL
CENTRO DE LA RAZA ARE THE
DEVELOPERS. REALLY EXCITED WITH
A TOTAL OF 239 AFFORDABLE UNITS
CLOSE TO 60% OF ALL OF THE
APARTMENTS WILL BE TWO, THREE
AND FOUR BEDROOMS. 30%
APARTMENTS ARE ALL FAMILY SIZED
APARTMENTS WITH TWO BEDROOMS AND
A BATH WITH A COMMUNITY
PREFERENCE APPLIED TO THE
PROJECT AND THE RAINIER VALLEY
OF EARLY LEARNING CENTER OWNED
AND OPERATED BY UW OCCUPIED
PHASE ONE GROUND FLOOR. IT WILL
UTILIZE THE WORKFORCE AGREEMENT
DURING CONSTRUCTION FOR PHASE
ONE, THEN AGAIN FOR PHASE TWO.
NEXT SLIDE. FINALLY, GROUND
LEASE CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE YOU
TODAY. THIS GROUND LEASE ALLOWS
THE CITY TO CONTINUE OWNERSHIP
IN PERPETUITY WHILE THE
DEVELOPER WOULD OWN AND OPERATE
THE DEVELOPMENT CONSTRUCTED
ABOVE THANK YOU FOR YOUR
CONSIDERATION AND WE ARE OPEN
FOR QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE
FANTASTIC PRESENTATION AND I
WANT TO EXPRESS MY EXCITEMENT
ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY IN FRONT
OF US TO VOTE ON IT TODAY AND I
WENT TO DO A QUICK CLARIFICATION
AND I THINK YOU ALREADY HAD ON
THIS AND I'M NOT SURE IF IT WAS
JESSICA OR INTERIM DIRECTOR, BUT
IF YOU HEARD MY SUPPER, TO SAY
THE NUMBER 241, THEN OH 239, THE
DIFFERENCE IS THE TWO MANAGEMENT
UNITS IN THE BUILDING, SO I JUST
WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S CLEAR
FOR FOLKS WHEN WE ARE TALKING
ABOUT THE NUMBER OF UNITS. 241
OVERALL. 239 THAT ARE GOING TO
BE IN THE SUBSIDIZED AFFORDABLE
BUCKET AND TWO ON-SITE
MANAGEMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE
HAVE ALL SUPPORT THAT THE
RESIDENTS NEED. I WANT TO LIFT
IT UP FOR YOU, COLLEAGUES, AND
EXPRESS HOW IMPORTANT IT'S
GOING TO BE WITH OPEN SPACE AND
A LOCATION WHERE IT'S VERY MUCH
NEEDED. WITH THAT, I WILL OPEN
IT UP FOR QUESTIONS. I THINK
I'M NOT SEEING ANY QUESTIONS
COME FROM FOLKS AND I THINK
THAT'S BECAUSE WE ARE ALL SO
EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY.
WITH THAT I WILL MOVE THAT THE
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED ADOPTION
OF COUNSEL BILL 121236 . IS
THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> FANTASTIC. MOVED AND SECONDED
TO RECOMMEND ADOPTION OF THE
COUNSEL BILL. ANY FURTHER
COMMENTS? WILL THE CLERK CALL
THE ROLL? WILL THE CLERK CALL
THE ROLL ON THE RECOMMENDATION
THAT THE COUNCIL PASSED COUNSEL
BILL 121236?
>> THREE VOTES IN FAVOR AND NONE
OPPOSED.
>> FANTASTIC. THE MOTION CARRIES
AND COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT
THE COUNCIL PASSED THE BILL --
RECOMMENDATION THAT THE COUNCIL
PASSED THE BILL WILL BE SENT TO
THE JUNE 30, 2026 CITY COUNCIL
MEETING. THANK YOU SO MUCH TO
FOLKS FROM OH AND ONE MORE TIME
FOR ALL OF THE WORK YOU'VE DONE
ON THIS OVER THE LAST SEVERAL
YEARS AND I KNOW IT'S BEEN A
HUGE UNDERTAKING AND WE CANNOT
WAIT TO SEE SHOVELS IN THE
GROUND LATER ON THIS YEAR. WITH
THAT, WE WILL MOVE ON TO AGENDA
ITEM THREE. WILL THE CLERK READ
ITEM THREE INTO THE RECORD?
>> COUNSEL BILL 121237.
ORDINANCE RELATED TO THE SEATTLE
OFFICE OF HOUSING PLACING
ACQUIRED REAL PROPERTY IN THE
MONTLAKE NEIGHBORHOOD UNDER THE
JURISDICTION OF OH AUTHORIZING
TO ISSUE A REQUEST PROPOSALS FOR
SELECTION OF DEVELOPER AND
EXECUTE FOR CONTRACT TRANSFER
LAND AND RELATED DOCUMENTS TO
THE DEVELOPER AND RATIFYING AND
CONFIRMING CERTAIN PRIOR ASK FOR
BRIEFING DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE
VOTE.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE WILL BE
JOINED THIS TIME BY INTERIM
DIRECTOR -- INTERIM DIRECTOR
AKITA AND ALONG WITH JOY HUNT
FROM OFFICE OF HOUSING. BEFORE
WE HAVE THEM INTRODUCE
THEMSELVES AND WALK THROUGH THE
ORDINANCE, COMMITTEE MEMBERS, AS
YOU ALL KNOW, I'M EXCITED ABOUT
THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT
AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP IN
PARTICULAR PLAYS FOR THE CITY AS
AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE
PERMANENT INSTABILITY FOR
FAMILIES. THIS IS AN EXCITING
OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE OF THE
LOCATION AND WHAT WE WOULD SORT
OF CALL A HIGH OPPORTUNITY
NEIGHBORHOOD AND THAT IS NOT A
PLACE WHERE WE OFTEN GET THE
OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD AFFORDABLE
HOUSING UNITS AND A PARTICULARLY
AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP UNIT,
SO WE WILL HEAR MORE FROM OH
TEAM ABOUT THAT MOMENTARILY.
BEFORE WE DO THAT, I WANT TO
EXPRESS GRATITUDE FOR PARTNERS
AT THE STATE INCLUDING OUR 43rd
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT DELEGATION
AND STAFF FOR WORKING THIS YEAR
FOR THE WORK THAT DIRECTOR AKITA
WILL TALK ABOUT THAT WILL ALLOW
US TO LEASE THE SITE TO KEEP THE
PROJECT MOVING FORWARD. I ALSO
SHARE A LITTLE BIT OF
INFORMATION ABOUT
PRE-INTRODUCTION CHANGES THAT MY
OFFICE WORKED ALONGSIDE OFFICE
OF HOUSING, SO AFTER WE REVIEWED
THE LEGISLATION, WE MADE THE
FOLLOWING CHANGES AND ADDED A
TERM SHEET TO THE ORDINANCE
CONSISTENT WITH PAST PRACTICES
AND THE SHEET CONTAINS BASIC
PROVISIONS FOR THE FUTURE
HOMEOWNERSHIP PROJECT SITE,
INCLUDING SERVING HOUSEHOLDS AT
80% OR BELOW AND THAT IT WILL BE
AFFORDABLE FOR AT LEAST 50
YEARS. O.H. WAS ALREADY LOOKING
AT HOMEOWNERSHIP OF THE SITE AND
THE EDIT MAKES IT MORE EXPLICIT
IN THE LEGISLATION. WE ALSO
ADDED THAT THEY WILL PRIORITIZE
PROJECT PROPOSALS THAT SPOILER
ALERT INCLUDE A SIGNIFICANT
NUMBER OF FAMILY SIZED UNITS
THAT CONTINUES TO BE A PRIORITY
FOR ALL OF US AND A PROVISION
THAT SELECTED PROPOSAL WILL
ADDRESS SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACTS AND WE WILL HEAR MORE IN
THE PRESENTATION, BUT WE WANT TO
MAKE SURE IT WAS TAKING THE
SURROUNDING AREA INTO
CONSIDERATION, SO I WANT TO
EXPRESS MY CONSIDERATION FOR
WORKING WITH US. WITH THAT, I
WILL HAND IT OVER TO OUR
DIRECTOR AKITA.
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR
EXPRESSING GRATITUDE TO THE
FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN
GETTING US TO THIS POINT IN TIME
AND I WANT TO OWNERSHIP TEAM ,
POLICY AND PLANNING TEAM AND THE
CITY'S OFFICE OF
INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS. THE
LEGISLATION WILL BRING
AFFORDABLE HOMES TO A COMMUNITY
WHERE HOMEOWNERSHIP HAS BEEN FAR
OUT OF REACH FOR HOUSEHOLDS WITH
LOW INCOMES AND IN THE
NEIGHBORHOOD, OFFICE OF HOUSING
HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO PURCHASE A
SITE FROM THE WASHINGTON STATE
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND
THE LEGISLATION BEFORE YOU
AUTHORIZES O.H. TO PURCHASE A
SITE FOR NO MORE THAN $6,050,000
. THE PROPERTY WOULD BE PLACED
UNDER O.H.'S JURISDICTION FOR
CREATING 50 OR MORE PERMANENTLY
AFFORDABLE FOR SALE HOMES
THROUGH COMPETITIVE REQUEST FOR
PROPOSAL RFP PROCESS AND UPON
COMPLETION OF SUCCESSFUL RFP,
AUTHORIZES TO TRANSFER THE SITE
TO THE DEVELOPER TO STEWARD
HOMES ENSURING THAT THEY REMAIN
AFFORDABLE.
>> HELLO, EVERYONE. I'M WITH
THE OFFICE OF HOUSING AND THANK
YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE TODAY. A
COUPLE OF SLIDES AND WE WILL
JUMP INTO THE SPECIFICS OF THIS
EXCITING OPPORTUNITY. O.H.'S
INVESTMENTS PERMANENT INCLUDING
DISPLACEMENT PREVENTION AND
ENSURING BROKERS CAN LIVE IN THE
COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE. THESE
ARE ALSO INVESTMENTS FOR
LONG-TERM. FUNDED HOMEOWNERSHIP
HOMES MUST MAINTAIN A
PORTABILITY AT RESELL FOR AT
LEAST 50 YEARS AND WE PRIORITIZE
FUNDING INVESTMENTS WITH
PROPOSED A PORTABILITY FOR 99
YEARS OR MORE. NEXT SLIDE.
BUYERS OF PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE
HOMES MAKE NO MORE THAN 80% AREA
INCOME AT INITIAL SALE. BELOW
80% OF AREA MEETING MEDIAN
INCOME IS CRITICAL FOR MANY
REASONS. IT SUPPORTS OUR RACIAL
EQUITY GOALS, SINCE WE KNOW
MEDIAN INCOME IS FOR COMMITTEES
HISTORICALLY EXPERIENCED
REDLINING AND OTHER FORMS OF
DISCRIMINATION. TO ENSURE
ELIGIBLE TO PURCHASE PERMANENTLY
AFFORDABLE HOMES, SET TO BE
AFFORDABLE TO BUYERS WHO MAKE 60
TO 65% OF MEDIAN INCOME. NO MORE
THAN 35% OF PRETEXT INCOME USED
FOR HOUSING, WHICH FOR
HOMEOWNERSHIP INCLUDES PRINCIPAL
INTEREST PROPERTY TAX INSURANCE
AND ANY STEWARDSHIP FEES. IN
PRACTICAL TERMS IN TODAY'S
MARKET, PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE
HOMEOWNERSHIP HOMES GENERALLY
RANGE FROM $250-$350,000 WITH
ONE IN TWO BEDROOM HOMES THAN
THREE IN FOUR BEDROOM HOMES IN
THE LOW TO MID 300s. ONE MORE
SLIDE TO WRAP UP MY FRAMING OF
THE MODEL. PERMANENTLY
AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP AND
LEASING FROM THE STEWARDSHIP
ORGANIZATION AND LONG-TERM
RENEWABLE LEASE. IN EXCHANGE,
SELL A HOME AT RESTRICTED PRICE
THAT THEY CHOOSE TO SELL IN THE
FUTURE. STEWARDSHIP ORGANIZATION
OWNS LAND AND SOLD AT AN
AFFORDABLE PRICE TO INCOME
ELIGIBLE BUYERS. NEXT SLIDE.
MONTLAKE HOME SITE IS LOCATED AT
2625 EAST MONTLAKE PLACE EAST.
THE MONTLAKE BOULEVARD AND THIS
IS USED BY WSDOT FOR
CONSTRUCTION STAGING. IT IS NOW
VACANT AND CONSIDERED SURPLUS
WITH NO FURTHER ACTION LETTER
FROM THE WASHINGTON STATE
DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY. DURING
THE 2026 SESSION, STATE
LEGISLATOR APPROPRIATED FUNDS
$50,000 FOR OH TO ACQUIRE THE
SITE TO DEVELOP 50 PERMANENTLY
AFFORDABLE HOMES. PURCHASED THE
SITE FOR $5,800,000 WITH THE
BALANCE OF FUNDS THAT WILL BE
USED FOR CLOSING COSTS, INTEREST
AND POTENTIALLY SURVEY WORK.
FOLLOWING RATIFICATION OF
LEGISLATION UNDER CONSIDERATION
TODAY, ENTER INTO A AGREEMENT
WITH WSDOT AND WE EXPECT TO
CLOSE ON THE PURCHASE OF THE
PROPERTY THIS FALL. OUR NEXT
STEP IS TO ISSUE COMPETITIVE FOR
PROPOSALS IN EARLY 2027 TO
SELECTED PERMANENTLY
HOMEOWNERSHIP DEVELOPER TO BUILD
HOMES ON THE SITE AND PROVIDE
SERVICES ONCE CONSTRUCTION IS
COMPLETE. THROUGH THE RFP
PROCESS, WE ATTEMPT TO MAKE AN
AWARD RESERVATION AND
DEVELOPMENT SUBSIDY ALONE. NEXT
SLIDE. THIS IS AN AMENITY RICH
AREA TO AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
LIBRARY PARK AND RETAIL IN THE
MONTLAKE NEIGHBORHOOD. IT'S
ALSO WORTH NOTING THAT THEY
DON'T HAVE ANY AFFORDABLE, SO
WE ARE VERY EXCITED. THE SITE IS
CURRENTLY ZONED, WHICH WILL
ALLOW TO DEVELOP UP TO FOUR
STORIES AND WE UNDERSTAND IT IS
UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR REZONING
, WHICH GIVES THE DEVELOPER THE
OPTION TO TO FIVE OR SIX
STORIES. AS PREVIOUSLY SHARED,
THE PLAN FOR THE SITE IS TO
RELEASE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS TO
SELECT PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE
HOMEOWNERSHIP DEVELOPER FOR
TARGETING 2027 FOR RELEASE. THE
REQUEST PROPOSALS WILL ENCOURAGE
MORE PRIORITIES. AS WE ALLUDED
TO FAMILY SIZED HOUSING WILL BE
A PRIORITY FOR THE RFP.
PARTICIPATING IN COMMUNITY
ENGAGING EVENT HOSTED BY THE
MONTLAKE CLUB WITH 70 MONTLAKE
NEIGHBORS IN ATTENDANCE. DURING
THE EVENT, WE HEARD SUPPORT FOR
AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP FOR
FAMILIES. RECENTLY REDEVELOPED
AND HAS SIGNIFICANT CAPACITY FOR
MORE STUDENTS. SECOND, THE RFP
WILL PRIORITIZE GREENERY BETWEEN
HOMES, AS WELL AS POLLUTION
MITIGATION STRATEGIES. OUR
ORIGINAL ASSESSMENT OF THE SITE
INDICATED POTENTIAL TO BUILD UP
TO 90 HOMES AND REDUCE THE
NUMBER TO A MINIMUM OF 50 TO
ENSURE ROOM FOR ROWS OF TREES
BETWEEN HOMES . THE RFP WILL
ENCOURAGE POLLUTION MITIGATION
STRATEGIES, SUCH AS TRIPLE PANE
WINDOWS, HIGH-EFFICIENCY HVAC
SYSTEMS AND OTHER TECHNIQUES.
THIRD, RFP PRIORITY AND WE HEARD
FROM NEIGHBORS THAT THEY WOULD
LIKE GROUND-FLOOR IDEALLY A
GROCERY STORE. THEY WILL
ENCOURAGE GROUND-FLOOR
COMMERCIAL FOR RETAIL , ALTHOUGH
WE CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT THAT
WILL BE THE CASE. WE WANT TO BE
TRANSPARENT IN SAYING THERE ARE
CHALLENGES TO DOING THIS. O.H.
DEVELOP AND STOP CITY SUBSIDY
AND LIMIT RESIDENTIAL
DEVELOPMENT WE WILL ENCOURAGE
DEVELOPERS TO THINK CREATIVELY
ABOUT HOW TO INCLUDE RETAIL IF
POSSIBLE AND CONTINUE TO WELCOME
IDEAS FOR FINANCING DEVELOPMENT.
WE HEARD FROM NEIGHBORS OF
INTEREST IN HAVING PARKING AND
CREATIVE STRATEGIES TO MITIGATE
CONGESTION AND IMPROVE
PEDESTRIAN EXPERIENCE AROUND THE
SITE. MONTLAKE HOMES RFP WILL
REFLECT. WE ARE HAPPY TO
ENTERTAIN ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY
HAVE.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I WILL SAY
QUICKLY AS I NEEDED TO COME IN
IN QUESTION. IN REGARDS TO THE
COMMERCIAL, THE GROUND-FLOOR
COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITY THERE OF
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE LANGUAGE
IS IF FEASIBLE AS DESCRIBED IN
THE SLIDE, SO ENCOURAGING THAT
IN THE PROPOSALS, BUT NOT A
REQUIREMENT IN THEIR PROPOSALS
GIVEN COMPLEXITY ALREADY
MENTIONED. IS THAT CORRECT SHORT
SUMMARY?
>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.
>> THANK YOU. I SEE A QUESTION
FROM LIN.
>> THANK YOU FOR THIS
PRESENTATION. SUPER EXCITED. THE
IDEA OF MAKING SURE THAT THERE
ARE TREES TO BE BETWEEN THE
HIGHWAY OFFERING HOMES. I THINK
THAT'S GREAT AND THERE COULD BE
A CORNER STORE AND I'M SURE THE
NEIGHBORHOOD AND HOMEOWNERS
WOULD LOVE IT IF THAT'S
POSSIBLE. AGREE WITH ALL OF
THAT. IN TERMS OF THE FUNDING,
DO WE NEED TO TAKE BUDGET ACTION
TO ACCEPT FUNDS? WHERE ARE WE
WITH THE FUNDING?
>> THERE IS A SEPARATE ACTION
THAT THIS IS INCLUDED IN
SUPPLEMENTAL TO BE ABLE TO
RECEIVE FUNDS AND MAKE THEM
AVAILABLE TO THE OFFICE OF
HOUSING.
>> OKAY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT,
COUNCILMEMBER LIN. ANY OTHER
QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMITTEE?
FANTASTIC. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR
THAT OVERVIEW , O.H., AND FOR
THE HARD WORK ON THIS. I KNOW
IT'S BEEN A WHILE IN THE WORKS
AGAIN. WITH THAT, I MOVE
RECOMMENDED ADOPTION OF COUNSEL
BILL 121237 . IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> MOVED AND SECONDED. ARE THERE
AND ARE -- ANY FURTHER COMMENTS?
CALL THE ROLL ON BILL 121237 .
>> [ ROLL BEING CALLED ]
>> THREE VOTES IN FAVOR AND NONE
OPPOSED.
>> MOTION CARRIES AND COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDS COUNSEL PASS THE BILL
AND THIS WILL BE JUNE 30, 2026
CITY COUNCIL MEETING. WITH THAT,
WE WILL MOVE TO AGENDA ITEM
FOUR. WHILE THE CLERK CALLED THE
ITEM INTO THE RECORD?
>> COUNSEL BILL 121238 OFFICE OF
HOUSING AUTHORIZING AND CENTRAL
AREA FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE
DEVELOPMENT OF HOME UNITS
PLACING IT UNDER THE
JURISDICTION AND AUTHORIZING
DIRECTOR OF HOUSING OR NEED TO
ISSUE A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
AND TO SELECT DEVELOPER AND
DELIVER A CONTRACT FOR TRANSFER
RELATED DOCUMENTS. RATIFYING AND
CONFIRMING CERTAIN PRIOR ACTS
FOR BREATHING, DISCUSSION AND
POSSIBLE VOTE.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. BEFORE I
BRING BACK INTERIM DIRECTOR
AKITA AND KELLY FROM THE OFFICE
OF HOUSING, I'M JUST SO
EXCITED. I WANT TO SHARE WHAT
MAKES IT SPECIAL. FOR US, WE ARE
GETTING A CHANCE TO ACCEPT A
SITE THAT WILL BE USED FOR
FUTURE AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP
AND TO ENSURE THAT THE HISTORIC
SITE DISTRICT CAN BUY HOUSING. I
WANT TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION
TO THE CENTRAL AREA DEVELOPMENT
ASSOCIATION WHO OPERATED THE
BUILDING FOR OVER 25 YEARS AND
WORKED WITH THE OFFICE OF
HOUSING ON THE TRANSFER OF THIS
SITE WITH FRIENDS WHO LIVED IN
THE BUILDING AND ON THE BLOCK
AND I'M VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE
SITE AND I THINK IT'S AN
INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE
CITY. AS WITH THE MONTLAKE SITE,
MY OFFICE DID WORK AT THE OFFICE
OF HOUSING IF YOU
PRE-INTRODUCTION EDITS, SO I
WANT TO SHARE THOSE AGAIN WITH
FOLKS WHO JUST FOR THE SAKE OF
TRANSPARENCY. WE ADDED A TERM
SHEET CONSISTENT WITH PAST
PRACTICE, WHICH HAS BASIC
PROVISIONS FROM THE FUTURE OF
HOMEOWNERSHIP ON THE SITE,
INCLUDING 80% OR BELOW AREA
MEDIAN INCOME AND MAINTAINING
AFFORDABILITY FOR AT LEAST 50
YEARS. WE ADDED A PROVISION AND
I FEEL LIKE SOMEONE ELSE COULD
FILL IN THE BLANK, ONCE AGAIN,
PROJECT PROPOSALS WILL PROVIDE
SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF FAMILY
SIZED UNITS AND IN PARTICULAR
WHAT I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE SITE
AND I REALLY WANT TO SAY I'M SO
THRILLED ABOUT THIS. THE
UTILIZATION OF COMMUNITY
PREFERENCE FOR HOMEBUYERS
SELECTION HERE, WHICH AS WE
THINK ABOUT OUR HISTORICAL
DISTRICT AND OPPORTUNITY FOR
HOMEOWNERSHIP AND MEANINGFUL
DOWN THE LINE IN THE CENTRAL
DISTRICT, SEEING SO MUCH
DISPLACEMENT. BLACK RESIDENTS
AND OTHER MEMBERS HISTORICALLY
CALL THE DISTRICT HOME. FINALLY,
THE TRANSMITTED LEGISLATION LEFT
THE DOOR OPEN FOR EITHER RENTAL
OR HOMEOWNERSHIP AND WE UPDATED
THAT TO REFLECT THE PROJECT
WOULD BE HOMEOWNERSHIP FOCUSED,
SO THOSE ARE THE INTRODUCTION
CHANGES I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU
COLLEAGUES. WITH THAT AND
HOPEFULLY WITHOUT STEALING TOO
MUCH FIRE FROM O.H., I WILL HAND
IT OVER TO INTERIM DIRECTOR
AKITA AND LARSON TO WALK US
THROUGH THE DETAILS OF THE
LOCATION.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I WILL
BE JOINED BY JOY, ONCE AGAIN. I
LOVE IT WHEN I'M SO ALIGNED AND
WE ARE SO ALIGNED WITH OUR
COMMITTEE CHAIR SO AT THE RISK
OF BEING REDUNDANT, AND THIS
PROJECT IS A LITTLE BITTERSWEET,
BECAUSE IT REFLECTS THE END OF
ONE BUILDING'S LIFE AND THESE
SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES FACED BY
COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO
EFFECTIVELY OPERATE AFFORDABLE
HOUSING AND FUTURE VISION THAT
HOLDS A COMMITMENT TO THE LEGACY
OF CENTRAL AREA AND IN THIS
PLACE. FOR THE PROPOSED
LEGISLATION BEFORE YOU
AUTHORIZES OFFICE OF HOUSING TO
REQUIRE TWO PARCELS FOR THE
PURPOSE OF DEVELOPING
PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE
HOMEOWNERSHIP. OH WILL ENTER
INTO A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
ACCEPTING THE DEED TO THE
APARTMENTS AND FORECLOSURE AND
PURCHASE ADJACENT PARCEL TO THE
APARTMENTS. WE WILL CONDUCT A
COMPETITIVE REQUEST PROPOSAL
PROCESS FOR REDEVELOPMENT OF THE
SITES. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. I
WILL PROVIDE BACKGROUND AND
CONTEXT FOR THE PROPOSED ACTION.
IN 1999, CENTRAL AREA ACQUIRED
THE APARTMENTS ALONG WITH THE
DEVELOPED PARCEL OF LAND NEXT
DOOR TO THE APARTMENT TO
BUILDING, AND AS NOTED FOR MORE
THAN 25 YEARS, OWNED AND
OPERATED PROVIDING AFFORDABLE
RENTAL HOMES IN THE HEART OF
CENTRAL AREA MADE POSSIBLE IN A
VERY SMALL PART WITH OVERTIME
$1.2 MILLION OF FINANCING FROM
THE OFFICE OF HOUSING. HARVEY IS
AN OLD BUILDING AND WAS ABLE TO
MAINTAIN THE BUILDING, BUT THE
PHYSICAL CONDITION HAS SEVERELY
DETERIORATED OVER TIME. THIS LED
TO THE BUILDING BEING
UNDERUTILIZED. OCCUPANCY HAS
DECLINED. BY JULY 2025, ALL
REMAINING TENANTS HAVE BEEN
RELOCATED TO OTHER AFFORDABLE
HOMES. AFTER EXPLORING OPTIONS
FOR TRANSFER OR SALE, REACHED A
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT THAT
NECESSITATES THE PROPOSED
COUNCIL ACTION. NEXT SLIDE. THIS
GIVES YOU A VIEW OF WHERE THE
PROPERTIES ARE LOCATED AND
SITUATED AT THE CORNER OF 27th
AVENUE EAST . IN THIS LIGHT, YOU
CAN SEE CHERRY STREET AT THE TOP
OF THE PHOTO AND THE RECTANGLE
OUTLINING WHAT IS LABELED AS
PARCEL A AS THE APARTMENTS AND
UNDERNEATH THAT IS THE VACANT
ADJACENT PROPERTY LABELED PARCEL
B.
>> LOOK AHEAD TO DISCUSS FUTURE
DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR THE SITE.
OUR INTENTION IS TO BUILD
PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE HOMES AT
THIS LOCATION. AS PREVIOUSLY
SHARED, AFFORDABLE TO SUCCESSFUL
BUYERS BEFORE PERCENT. TYPICAL
AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP BUYERS
TEACHERS AND CARE WORKERS AND
TECHNOLOGISTS AND TRANSIT
DRIVERS AND NONPROFIT
PROFESSIONALS. FOR THE SITE IN
2027, WE RELEASED THE
COMPETITIVE REQUEST FOR
QUALIFICATIONS AND LEAD
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TO HELP
PLANS FOR REDEVELOPMENT. INPUT
ON THE NUMBER AND TYPE OF
CONFIGURATION OF HOMES, AS WELL
AS DESIGN STRATEGIES TO MEET THE
NEEDS OF CURRENT AND DISPLACED
COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND REFLECT
THE HISTORY AND FEEL OF THE
NEIGHBORHOOD. AS PREVIOUSLY
ALLUDED TO, HOMES ARE MARKETED
TO HOUSEHOLDS WITH TIES TO THE
COMMUNITY. COMMUNITY PREFERENCE
PRIORITIZES HOUSING
OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESIDENTS FOR
THOSE SEEKING TO RETURN TO NEW
PERMITS FOR WHICH THEY HAVE BEEN
DISPLACED. LIVING IN THE CENTRAL
DISTRICT, PREVIOUSLY LIVING
THERE, WORKING THERE,
VOLUNTEERING THERE OR BEING PART
OF THE FAITH COMMUNITY LOCATED.
SUCH TIES WILL BE PRIORITIZED
FOR HOMEOWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
CREATED. WITH THAT, WE WILL
PAUSE FOR QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
COLLEAGUES, ANY QUESTIONS ON THE
ITEM? SEEING NONE. I WILL MOVE
THAT THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED
ADOPTION OF COUNSEL BILL 121238.
IS THERE A SECOND? IT HAS BEEN
MOVED AND SECONDED TO ARE
AMENDED THE ADOPTION OF THE
COUNSEL BILL. ANY FURTHER
COMMENTS? FANTASTIC. WILL THE
CLERK CALLED THE ROLL ON THE
RECOMMENDATION THAT THE COUNCIL
PASS COUNSEL BILL 121238?
>> [ ROLL BEING CALLED ]
>> THREE VOTES IN FAVOR AND NONE
OPPOSED.
>> FANTASTIC. THE MOTION CARRIES
AND RECOMMEND THAT THE COUNCIL
PASS THE BILL. IT WILL BE SENT
TO THE JUNE 30, 2026 SEATTLE
CITY COUNCIL MEETING. ARE THERE
ANY FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME
BEFORE THE COMMITTEE TODAY?
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK?
>> I WANT TO COMMEND YOU FOR
PULLING TOGETHER A POSITIVE
AGENDA FOR TODAY'S COMMITTEE
MEETING. IT'S NOT OFTEN THAT
YOU GET TO GO BACK TO BACK OF
TAKING ACTION ON SUCH AN ARRAY
OF INCREDIBLE PROJECTS, SO I
WANT TO THANK YOU, YOUR TEAM AND
FOR BEING IN CHAMBERS, AS WELL
AS THIS MEETING AND A HUGE THANK
YOU TO O.H. FOR THE YEARS OF
WORK THAT HAVE GONE INTO
PREPARING AND GETTING THE
PROJECTS READY . DON'T
INTERPRET MY LACK OF QUESTIONS
AS LACK OF CURIOSITY OR
EXCITEMENT. RATHER THE OH TEAM
DID A CAREFUL JOB AHEAD OF TIME
AND ANSWERED QUESTIONS AHEAD OF
TIME, SO I AM READY TO
ENTHUSIASTICALLY SUPPORT TODAY.
THANK YOU TO THE O.H. TEAM AND
FOR PUTTING TOGETHER SUCH A
POSITIVE AGENDA.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT. I
REALLY APPRECIATE IT. AS YOU
KNOW, I SHARE ALL OF THE
EXCITEMENT.
>> UNLESS THERE IS ANY OTHER
BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE
COMMITTEE TODAY, FANTASTIC. I
WILL SHARE QUICKLY TO MAKE SURE
FOLKS ARE AWARE FOR THE PUBLIC.
MY OFFICE IS PLANNING TO HOLD A
SPECIAL MEETING ON MONDAY, JUNE
29th AT NINE: 30 IN COUNCIL
CHAMBERS AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE
SPECIAL MEETING SHOULD BE SENT
OUT LATER THIS WEEK. COLLEAGUES
HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED THIS AND
SENT OUT EMAIL COMMUNICATION
ABOUT THIS TO THE PUBLIC AND WE
WILL BE DISCUSSING POTENTIAL
HOMEOWNER PRIVACY AND PROTECTION
LEGISLATION, WHICH WOULD CREATE
A DO NOT SOLICIT HOMEOWNER OPT
INTO IF THEY DO NOT WISH TO
PROCEED REAL ESTATE SOLICITATION
AND WE WILL HAVE THIS AS AN
INFORMATIONAL ITEM ONLY AND ALSO
BE HOLDING A SPECIAL PANEL
DISCUSSION WITH COMMUNITY
LEADERS WHO WILL SPEAK TO THE
IMPACT OF UNWANTED SOLICITATION
ON COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE CITY.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING
THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND PUBLIC
THERE. WITH THAT, THAT CONCLUDES
THE JUNE 26 -- JUNE 24, 2026
MEETINGS OF THE HOUSING, ARTS
AND CIVIL RIGHTS COMMITTEE. NEXT
IS