Housing

A rendering shows a side profile with a light gray and blue facade and a simple but elegant window pattern.

Affordable U District Tower Will Be Seattle’s Tallest Mass Timber Building

The Low Income Housing Institute won the bid to develop Sound Transit's surplus site near U District Station. The project will bring 160 affordable homes in a 12-story tower that is slated to be the state's tallest mass timber building.

County’s Plan for Redeveloping Downtown Campus Still Shrouded in Mystery

King County Executive Dow Constantine continues to tease development plans for the County's large campus in South Downtown, but few firm details have emerged.

Stadium District Site Could Be a Bellwether of Downtown Seattle’s Future

The opportunity to redevelop nearly five acres across from Lumen Field is pitting competing interests against each other. Some hope to see housing, but industrial stakeholders are pushing back.
Morales speaks at a podium and several rows of supporters hold signs in support of the EDI program and against the budget raid.

Rivera Walks Back Raid of Anti-Displacement Funds, Claims Critics Are Misinformed

After pushback, Councilmember Maritza Rivera backed off a push to pull back funding for the Equitable Development Initiative (EDI) but the episode spoke volumes about the city council's current goals.
Picture of Jessica Bateman

Housing Juggernaut Jessica Bateman Launches State Senate Bid

The Urbanist sat down with State Rep. Jessica Bateman, who is running for the Washington State Senate pledging to bring the same urgency around housing issues that she has brought to the lower chamber.

Seattle Council Delays Vote to Cut Gig Pay, Equitable Development

Moves to cut the minimum wage for gig workers and squeeze Equitable Development Initiative projects for funding will have to wait for a future Seattle City Council meeting after their sponsors tabled the votes.

Op-Ed: Councilmember Rivera Plans To Defund the Equitable Development Initiative

Councilmember Maritza Rivera aims to raid the money allocated to Seattle's Equitable Development Initiative. Here’s what you can do to fight this budget raid.
Aerial view of houses near Lake Washington at sunset.

Op-Ed: The Case for Accessory Dwelling Units

Accessory dwelling units like backyard cottages and basement apartments support sustainable development plans as they typically require fewer resources during construction, are energy-efficient, and minimize urban sprawl. They are one effective way to add density to single family areas.