Seattle Housing Levy

Since 1981, Seattle voters have approved one bond and five levies to create affordable housing. Seattle has now funded over 13,000 affordable apartments for seniors, low- and moderate-wage workers, and formerly homeless individuals and families, plus provided homeownership assistance to more than 900 first-time low-income home buyers and emergency rental assistance to more than 6,500 households.

In August 2016, voters in Seattle approved a new $290 million levy by over 70%. Learn more on the 2016 Seattle Housing Levy Fact Sheet >

Implementing the Housing Levy Administrative & Financial Plan

The A&F Plan, and the attached Housing Funding Policies, guide the use of Housing Levy funds as well as other fund sources administered by the Office of Housing.

Summary of 5-Year Progress Toward 7-Year Housing Levy Goals (2017-2021) 

Housing Levy Engagment Timeline

Now in the 5th year of the Seattle Housing Levy we're looking back at some of the homes and services supported by Levy investments and looking ahead to developing a proposal to renew the Housing Levy in 2023 

1981 Senior Housing Bond:  $48.17 million

  • Senior housing                                      $48,170,000                 1,297 units1  

1986 Housing Levy:  $49.975 million over 8 years

  • Small family rental housing                  $10,804,000                   446 units
  • Large family rental housing                  $10,996,000                   178 units1
  • Special needs rental housing              $14,575,000                    698 units
  • Downtown housing preservation           $6,100,000                    505 units
  • Operating and maintenance                   $5,000,000                    252 units2                                                    
    TOTAL PRODUCTION                                                                    1,818 units  

1995 Housing Levy:  $59.211 million over 7 years

  • Rental preservation & production          $46,531,678               2,301 units
  • Homebuyer assistance                           $  2,447,305                      90 units
  • Homeowner housing repair                   $  4,072,492                    241 units
  • Operating and maintenance                  $  8,751,000                    294 units2                        
    TOTAL PRODUCTION                                                                   2,632 units  

2002 Housing Levy:  $86 million over 7 years

  • Rental preservation & production          $56,100,000                1,882 units
  • Neighborhood housing opportunity       $  7,200,000                   333 units
  • Homebuyer assistance                           $  9,800,000                     197 units
  • Operating and maintenance                  $  7,800,000                    244 units2                        
    TOTAL PRODUCTION                                                                   2,459 units

  • Homelessness prevention                    $  2,800,000                 4,735 households

2009 Housing Levy:  $145 million over 7 years (Program Goals)

  • Rental preservation & production      $104,000,000                1,670 units
  • Homebuyer assistance                           $  9,090,000                   180 units
  • Operating and maintenance                  $14,400,000                  220 units2                        
    TOTAL PRODUCTION                                                                  1,850 units
  • Acquisition/opportunity loans                $  6,500,0003                 175 units
  • Homelessness prevention/                     $  4,248,000               3,025 households

1 Housing developed and owned by Seattle Housing Authority; not included in OH portfolio.

2 Units also received capital funding, therefore are not counted again in Total Production.

3 Short-term loans using other available Levy program funds.