Mayor Durkan announces $50M to quickly create new affordable housing, housing for the homeless

SEATTLE — Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan says millions of dollars will go to new income and rent-restricted housing for individuals and young adults who are experiencing homelessness or are at extreme risk of homelessness.

It’s the latest effort at the county and city level to help the less fortunate.

“With joint city and Washington state funding of $50 million dollars, we’ve acquired three brand-new buildings,” Durkan said at a news conference.

Seattle’s local investment of $25 million was matched by funding from the Washington State Department of Commerce’s new Rapid Capital Housing Acquisition program.

At a news conference Monday morning, Durkan and city officials highlighted a building at 420 Boylston Avenue East.

“We are in a housing crisis here in our city and across America, which can only be aided if government at all levels add their assistance,” said Durkan.

There will be 165 units across three recently purchased buildings that will be ready for tenants this fall.

Soon, people currently living in tiny house villages will be able to call a studio apartment home.

“These buildings are not temporary. They will provide stable, high-quality affordable homes for the next 50 years,” director of the Seattle Office of Housing Emily Alvarado said.

Durkan said more properties could be purchased soon.

The goal is to get the inventory of affordable housing up in order to meet demand that has only gotten worse during the pandemic.

“We must push as hard as we can to provide housing for everyone,” said Durkan.

Seattle’s local investment of $25 million was matched by funding from the Washington State Department of Commerce’s new Rapid Capital Housing Acquisition program.

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