Dear friends, 

Affordable housing is at great risk in Seattle. This is partly because the desirability of our city is driving up housing costs, partly because new developments are priced well above what's affordable for many Seattle residents, partly because our incentive zoning program is weak compared to most cities. And it's partly because the Washington Housing Trust Fund program has been decimated in recent years.

For 25 years, the legislature has set aside a percentage of the State capital budget to help fund affordable housing. Over 40,000 affordable homes have been developed since then. And it has had strong economic impact as well - thousands of jobs and millions of dollars have been created through this program.

But the current allocation to the Trust Fund is at its lowest rate since the program was first funded in 1989. Fewer resources are being set aside today when rents are skyrocketing - forcing people to choose rundown homes or commutes that are unsustainable. This is precisely the time when we should be investing most in our affordable housing stock - we should be investing most in our working families, seniors, and neighbors with disabilities. Yet dysfunction and short-sightedness are causing us to miss the moment. 

If you care about thriving communities, if you care about working families having good homes, if you care about sustainability and economic development, get involved. Contact your legislators and tell them you support the Housing Trust Fund. The recent session may have ended, but we need to keep urging them to invest in affordable housing.

Best regards,