In 2002, the voters of Seattle passed a 7-year, $86 million property tax levy to provide affordable housing opportunities for low-income Seattle residents.

The Housing Levy provides funds to create and preserve affordable housing through:

• Rental Preservation and Production
• Neighborhood Housing Opportunity Program
• Homebuyer Assistance
• Rental Assistance
• Operating and Maintenance Program

With the passage of the Levy voters also approved the establishment of an Oversight Committee, for the purpose of monitoring the progress of Levy Programs and reporting to the Mayor and City Council on that progress.  A major responsibility of the Levy Oversight Committee is recommending policy changes to the Levy Administrative and Financial (A&F) Plan, which guides implementation of the five Levy-funded programs.  The 13 members of the Housing Levy Oversight Committee, all confirmed by City Council, are selected as follows:

• one (1) City employee appointed by the Mayor or his designee
• six (6) non-government employees appointed by the Mayor
• five (5) non-government employees appointed by City Council

Housing Levy performance is reported on twice a year to the City Council by the Oversight Committee and the Office of Housing.