Stories Archives - Seattle Social Housing Developer

October 16, 2026

SSHD announces Seattle’s first ever social housing construction project

The Seattle Social Housing Developer (SSHD) announced its first construction project ever on Friday, marking a milestone for the new public agency.

On Thursday night, SSHD’s Board unanimously approved the new construction project in the Central District, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2028.

The construction site is home to two cabin like structures, which former speaker of the Washington State House of Representatives Frank Chopp built as a young man with his father. Chopp named one of the buildings “the Bird” because he thought it looked exactly like a bird taking off. This larger building has since been a home to Chopp’s daughter, family friends, and various tenants.

Chopp and his wife, Nancy, initially planned to build a small apartment complex on the site and live there themselves. Nancy said she decided to sell the land to SSHD after Chopp’s passing in 2025 because she knew her husband believed social housing was one way to address the affordability crisis in Seattle.

June 18, 2026

Take the Seattle social housing survey

Social Housing is for All of Us. So, let’s make sure it works for all of us. To ensure our resident governance framework is responsive and truly transformative, we need your input. Please take this 5 to 10 minute survey.

May 22, 2026

Seattle’s first social housing building

The Seattle Social Housing Developer (SSHD) will soon be the new owner of the Elara at the Market apartment complex, making social housing a reality in the city.

The purchase of the first building was unanimously approved by the SSHD Board on Thursday.

The Elara apartment complex is next to world-class amenities, across the street from Seattle’s beloved Pike Place Market and the new Waterfront Park.

The building itself has 150 units, all in excellent condition. SSHD paid about $60 million for the apartment complex, well below the recent sales price of quality apartment units in downtown Seattle.