Workforce Housing
Stephen Antupit, a member of the Workforce Housing Initiative from the Urban Land Institute, presented the history and current status of discussion regarding housing for median wage families in Seattle.
The concern over the lack of affordable housing for median wage workers in Seattle comes from a number of directions. [Median wage is about $56,000 for a family of 2 in Seattle.]:
Environmental concerns – When workers leave Seattle to seek more affordable housing in suburbs and rural areas, they contribute to sprawl and they use greater resources commuting to jobs in the city.
Employer concerns – Employers are concerned over being able to find qualified workers for jobs such as teachers, nurses and police officers. These are people who are integral to our community, but who are paid less than they need to find housing in Seattle.
Social justice
There is no clear solution to this issue. However, Stephen shared with us some of the current discussion and ideas:
Multifamily Property Tax Exemption – Washington law allows for a property tax exemption for multifamily housing that is rented to families who meet specific income requirements. Seattle City Council is considering the program. However, there is concern is that the tax benefits to developers are small and do not provide incentive to create additional affordable housing.
Middle Income Housing Alliance – Charles Royer, former Seattle Mayor, is developing a campaign for housing for middle income families. More information will be forthcoming.
Employer Assisted Housing – A number of employers are interested in developing their own programs to make affordable housing available to their employees.
Green Legacy for All
Brice Maryman of the Green Legacy Coalition spoke about the group’s proposal for renewing a parks levy in 2008 with focus on green infrastructure priorities. The group looks not just at traditional parks but takes a broader view at green spaces in our city. Mayor Nickels would like to place a levy on the November 2008 ballot for Pike Place Market and the Seattle Center. The Green Legacy Coalition, a large number of neighborhood and green space advocates and a number of City Councilmembers would like to make levy funds available for projects beyond Pike Place Market and the Seattle Center. Decisions regarding the November ballot will be made soon. To learn more, go to to http://groups.google.com/group/greenlegacy.
Brice also had a number of suggestions for possible funding sources for a potential a Jackson Park Walking Trail, should that project move forward.
Block Watch/Crime Prevention
Diane Horswill, North Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator, gave an updated map of the new North Precinct patrol sectors and explained that the new beats have been developed to help officers address crime more effectively. Diane also shared a list of recent Pinehurst burglaries. It was a short list. (Contact me – or Diane – if you would like more information or a copy of what she shared with the group.) Laptops, jewelery, cash and iPods are most commonly stolen items. Most crime is instigated by individuals seeking money to buy drugs.
If you would like to reenergize or start a Block Watch group on your street or in your apartment/condo building, contact Diane.
You can reach Diane at: diane.horswill@seattle.gov or at (206) 684-7711. Also, check out the North Precinct Crime Prevention web page.
Some important numbers/web pages:
Graffiti removal and illegal dumping – 684-7587
Vehicles parked illegally on public property – 625-5011
Abandoned vehicles (parked over 72 hours) – 684-8763 or here
Sex offenders – here
The next PPDG meeting will be held Monday, March 31st from 7 – 9 PM at St. Matthew’s. The agenda includes:
Gibraltar Pinehurst Development at 15th Ave NE and NE 123rd (NW corner) – Kurt Fisher from Gibraltar will discuss their thoughts on the possible redevelopment of their properties in the NW corner of 15th and 123rd. Gibraltar also owns and built the San Marino building on 15th across from Safeway.
Sustainable Street Design for 115th between Roosevelt Way and 5th Ave NE – Shauna Walgren from the Neighborhood Street Fund will be presenting details of a design that integrates a sidewalk and natural drainage on 115th between Roosevelt and 5th Ave NE. The design includes swales similar to those in the Pinehurst Green Grid Drainage Project on the eastern side of Pinehurst. The swales offer drainage that more closely mimics the natural landscape prior to development than traditional piped systems.
Other upcoming neighborhood meetings and events:
- Pinehurst Safeway – Early Design Guidance Public Meeting – Monday, March 17th, 6:30 PM at University Heights Center
- 15th Avenue Cleanup – April 5th
- Northgate Urban Center Park Design Options Workshop – Saturday, April 12th at Northgate Community Center
- Good Design Tour – TBD
- Pinehurst Summer Social Event – August 9th
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