In the News Archives - Seattle Social Housing Developer

April 3, 2026

Social housing coming to Seattle this year

In an extended conversation, Seattle Social Housing Developer interim CEO Tiffani McCoy discussed the developer’s acquisition and construction plans, as well as unresolved financial and governance questions.

Apr. 14, 2026 — In recent years, it has become commonplace for American housing advocates and elected officials to make the pilgrimage to Vienna. They come to learn about the Austrian capital’s government housing, famous the world over for its modest rents, beautiful architecture, and popularity among rich and poor residents alike.

Despite all of the interest in Vienna’s social housing, there’s really only one American city that is seriously seeking to copy this model whole cloth.

March 14, 2026

Seattle Social Housing Developer Wins New Tool from State Lawmakers

The Seattle Social Housing Developer (SSHD) shepherded its priority bill through the Washington State Legislature, winning new powers to collaborate with state and local government.

House Bill 1687 authorizes the state or a local government to assist a social housing public development authority in the planning, construction, or operation of housing projects under the Housing Cooperation Law.

The new provision clears one obstacle to social housing authorities receiving aid from local government, including public land for construction sites, which SSHD has targeted as one of its potential strategies to curb costs. Newly sanctioned cooperation could also take the form of planning and logistical help, which social housing booster Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has pledged.

March 11, 2026

Social housing is well on its way to delivering on its promises to Seattle

There’s been a lot going on with social housing in Seattle, and everyone seems to have an opinion about it. In a sense, that’s a good thing. We want the public to pay attention to what the Seattle Social Housing Developer — the Public Development Authority established in 2023 to build social housing in the city — is doing. After all, a majority of the public voted to establish this new agency, and so it only makes sense that people have a vested interest in our work.

February 12, 2026

Seattle City Council Unanimously Approves $115 Million For Social Housing

The Seattle City Council has voted unanimously to approve an interlocal agreement with the Seattle Social Housing Developer, transferring $115 million to acquire and develop publicly owned, permanently affordable housing for working residents across the city. The vote marks the first major funding milestone for the agency, which was created by voter-approved Initiative 135 in 2023 and further empowered by Proposition 1A in 2025.