Seattle has been allowing developers to build higher buildings in exchange for contributing to a fund for affordable housing. But with few units built, officials are hoping to rewrite the legislation to remove restrictions and get more housing built.
"The legislation - passed in 2001 for commercial buildings and 2006 for residential buildings - requires developers who want to build taller buildings to pay into an affordable-housing fund. The developers paid in, but officials now say there were too many restrictions on how to spend the money."
"First, the money must be used for new construction downtown - where space is limited and land prices are high. And the funding formula is so complex it includes numbers taken out to eight decimal points."
"This month, the City Council voted to expand that policy beyond downtown. As council members, developers and housing advocates hashed out the details of the expansion, some questioned whether the existing program is even working."
"The money from developers was expected to create 900 new homes for people of low and moderate incomes by 2011. But on the eve of 2009, only about 300 have been built."
"The City Council will consider loosening the restrictions early next year, said Councilmember Sally Clark, who chairs the Planning, Land Use and Neighborhoods Committee."
FULL STORY: Seattle may ease rules to encourage affordable housing downtown

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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