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Seattle's Office of Housing funds affordable workforce housing, both rental and ownership, as well as supportive housing that helps vulnerable people achieve stability and move along a path toward self-sufficiency. Office of Housing initiatives also help stimulate housing development, allowing families to thrive and neighborhoods to provide a full range of housing choice and opportunity. The mission of the Seattle Office of Housing is to build strong healthy communities and increase opportunities for people of all income levels to live in our city.

Rick Hooper
Director
Office of Housing
(206) 684-0721

For more information on the Office of Housing, view our 2012 Annual Report as a PDF or online presentation or read below.

• What We Do
• Our Programs

What We Do

The Office of Housing has invested millions of dollars in Seattle's neighborhoods, meeting the needs of first-time homebuyers; homeowners struggling with repair bills; lower-wage workers looking for affordable housing; and those with no home at all.

• Through two funding rounds each year, Office of Housing staff analyze multifamily housing proposals, funding solid projects that best serve the community’s needs – be it affordable rental units or housing for the homeless.
  
  
• The City provides up to $45,000 in low-interest deferred payment loans to first-time homebuyers.
  
  
• On-site conservation and construction experts identify energy-use and home repair needs for low-income customers, and then we provide both low-interest loans and grants to help cover energy conservation and home improvement expenses.
  
  
• Our staff advocates for state and local legislation that will help create more affordable housing for all.
  
  
• We manage and market a Multifamily Tax Exemption Program in 39 target neighborhoods, requiring a portion of units in new rental projects that receive tax incentives to be affordable to Seattle’s low-to-middle income workforce.
  
  
• We oversee all City-funded projects to ensure that they serve the people they are intended to serve, are well maintained and financially sound.
  
  
• Our staff promotes green building principles, offering training and guidance on creating environmentally sound proposals (in 2002 the Office of Housing created the country’s first single set of comprehensive criteria to develop sustainable rental housing for low-income people).

Our Programs

Affordable Housing Development
For developers and nonprofit owners of affordable housing.
NOFA applications, income limits, and borrower's guide.    More...

Property Management
For affordable housing owners, property managers, service providers and on-site staff.
Annual report forms and instructions, income and rent limits, transfer of ownership application.    More...

Incentive Programs
For commercial and residential developers.
Seattle has several programs that provide commercial and residential developers incentives to build, preserve, or contribute funding for affordable housing in certain parts of the city.    More..

Homeownership Assistance
For first-time lower-income homebuyers and low- to moderate-income homeowners.
The Office of Housing provides purchase assistance funds to eligible buyers through partnerships with local nonprofits and lending institutions. Our partners use Office of Housing funds in their programs to create affordable homeownership opportunities in Seattle. We also offer home repair loans with very low-interest rates for homeowners and provide foreclosure prevention assistance to struggling homeowners.    More...

HomeWise: Repairing Your Home
For homeowners, renters and landlords.
HomeWise weatherization program provides free weatherization services, measures that save energy and lower utility bills, for both homeowners and landlords. Households must meet current income limits.    More...

SeaGreen: Sustainability and Conservation
For developers, property owners and managers, homeowners and renters interested in 'green' building and environmentally friendly practices.
SeaGreen is a guide for greening Seattle's affordable housing. Resource information about energy conservation, health and indoor air quality, materials efficiency, recycling, design strategies, site planning, water management, operating and maintenance practices.    More...

Ending Homelessness: Supportive Housing
For persons interested in understanding supportive housing and its role in ending homelessness.
Supportive housing stock for formerly homeless families and single adults. Best practices such as housing first, and the role of the Office of Housing in the planning efforts to end homelessness.    More...