Social Welfare

City Council Continues MHA-R Deliberations, Entertains 11 Amendments To Legislation

If you've been following Seattle's Mandatory Housing Affordability process since the beginning, then you know that, so far, the City has adopted a framework for...

Sunday Video: Who Pays The Lowest Taxes In The US?

https://youtu.be/kXCGbAv8YPw America may have an income tax, but the national tax structure is not remotely progressive and is weighted mostly against the poor and working...

Community Transit Planning to Opt-Into ORCA LIFT in July

On Thursday, Community Transit declared their intention to join several other local transit agencies in offering a reduced fare program for low-income individuals. The...

Sunday Video: How Norway Designed a More Humane Prison

https://youtu.be/5v13wrVEQ2M Prisons in America are usually designed for efficiency and to reinforce punishment by design, but their outcomes are often very poor for inmates and...

Sunday Video: Why The US Drinking Age Is 21

https://youtu.be/9aWYJugVTs4 Why America has a universal minimum legal drinking age is due to roads, Vox explains.

New Legislation Poised to Create Tenant Protections and Preserve Affordable Housing in Seattle

The Seattle City Council is poised to take up legislation that would create new tenant protections and preserve affordable housing across the city. Proposed...

Mayor Submits MHA-C Tweaks

Further amendments to Seattle’s Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) program could be on the way. Mayor Ed Murray transmitted a package of changes to bring...
The courtyard at Midtown Square is surrounded by a 7-story apartment complex.

How King County’s Basic Income Program Could Fight Poverty and Increase Safety

Research has showed the promise of guaranteed basic income programs to interrupt the cycle of poverty, and participants in King County's pilot program told The Urbanist that it had helped them improve their circumstances.