Seattle

When the Federal Government Ties Homeless Funding to Unemployment Rates
A strong economy can lead to a lack of affordable housing and a lack of affordable housing can lead to higher rates of homelessness. But a stronger economy can also disqualify regions from federal support for homelessness.

Portland Adjusts Residential Infill Plan to Minimize Displacement
Portland wants to add density but doesn't want to displace current residents of low- and middle-income neighborhoods.

Seattle Streetcar Project Facing Major Challenges
The city council approved funding for a new streetcar line, but cost increases mean the project is behind schedule and federal funds could be in jeopardy.

Why Jay Inslee Should Embrace Cross-Laminated Timber
With a timber rich state and a desire to fight climate change, mass timber and CLT could become Jay Inslee's signature green economy success in Washington State.

In the Housing Market, a Few Decades Makes a Huge Difference
"[P]erhaps at this point, this column should include a trigger warning for any young couple traumatized by the current housing market around here."

Seattle Residents Wary of Urban Greening Efforts
Parts of the city desperately need more trees, but some residents worry about the long-term effects of tree planting in neighborhoods.

State Law Allows for Local Reform of the Washington State Environmental Policy Act
Reform of the Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) is underway at the local level after a new state bill offered "safe harbor" under the law for a menu of land use and development reforms.

Floating Train Bridge Arriving in Seattle
The never-before-used design is already being built.

Parks Levy Headed for Approval in Seattle's King County
King County, Seattle spends 80 of its parks operating budget with money generated from a levy imposed on homeowners. After approving the levy most recently in 2013, voters are supporting it again this week.

Congestion Pricing Gains Traction in Seattle
Congestion pricing is a popular subject of conversation in Seattle, even if the idea hasn't yet proven popular with voters. The city is looking for ways to lead on climate change by reducing emissions from transportation.

Central City Connector Streetcar Inches Forward in Seattle
In the first signs of life for the beleaguered transit project in over a year, Seattle officials found some of the money they need to proceed with the Central City Connector streetcar project.

'Community Preference' Housing Policy Under the Microscope on Either Side of the Country
A new study out of New York City reveals the worsening effects of segregation due to the city's "community preference" affordable housing policy, Seattle sets out to craft a policy of its own.

Report Makes Business Case for Vancouver-to-Portland High Speed Rail
Washington State released a report detailing the business case for connecting Seattle to Portland and Vancouver by high-speed rail.

Seattle Clean-Air Shelters to Provide Relief to Residents
Wildfires have caused the city’s air quality to plummet in recent years. The new shelters will give residents a break when the air is not fit to breathe.

Feds Release Capital Investment Grants for Three Rail Transit Projects
Three major public transit projects in the western United States received a major infusion of funding from the federal government this week.

A 'Green New Deal' for Seattle
The city of Seattle has taken the first steps toward creating a "Green New Deal." Now comes the hard part of deciding on specific policies.

Seattle Sets a New Standard for Residential Zoning
Seattle is the latest in a series of cities, states, and counties to alter the landscape of land use regulation by approving what the Sightline Institute describes as the "most progressive" ADU policy in the United States.

Disaster Shelters Housing the Homeless in Washington
Structures initially intended to temporarily house disaster victims are serving a new purpose in Tacoma, Washington—sheltering homeless people and getting them on the path to more permanent housing.

Op-Ed: 'Mammoth' New Parking Garages Belie Seattle's Green Talk
"Seattle is still a car town at heart," Danny Westneat writes, pointing to a number of gargantuan new parking garages like the 2,300-stall complex at Expedia's new headquarters.

Crowdfunding for Affordable Housing
A new experiment in funding affordable housing is underway in Seattle.
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