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 2016 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 Engagement 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
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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.