About Seattle Social Housing Developer

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Seattle Social Housing Developer (SSHD) is a public development authority focused on addressing the city’s housing needs through the innovative social housing model. Created in 2023 with the passage of I-135, we intend to acquire and build high-quality housing that is publicly owned and permanently affordable, sustainable and inclusive for all Seattle residents.
​As a public development authority, our charter gives us a public mission while operating separately from the Seattle City government. It means all buildings and units will be public goods, and not privately owned by developers or individuals.

As a public entity of Seattle funded by public dollars, we are accountable to you. We are governed by a 13-member board appointed by:

  • Seattle City Council

  • Seattle Mayor

  • Seattle Renters’ Commission

  • MLK Labor

  • Green New Deal Oversight Board

In addition to having nonprofit, finance, planning and other expertise, a majority are required to represent a range of incomes and be renters. Eventually, tenants will make up about half our Board.