Statement Against
Seattle voters are supportive of solutions addressing Affordable Housing and Homelessness, however the 2016 proposed Housing Levy does not address TODAY's affordable housing issues, causes and does not exhibit fiscal responsibility. The first Housing Levy was created in 1986 but Seattle is a much different city today. A “NO” vote forces our City Leaders to create a NEW, realistic policy that fits the Seattle of TODAY!
City leadership promised a “Solution to Homelessness” in the 2009 Housing Levy and yet, in January of 2016 there were more than 4,300 people sleeping outside and more than 8,000 individuals sleeping in shelters. How can City Leadership tell the taxpayers of Seattle that this strategy is working?
The proposed Housing Levy does not represent a good investment in that the total Levy goes from $145 million to $290 million with forecasted new affordable housing units to be less than those built with the 2009 Levy. City Leaders said that the doubling of the Levy was due to the forecasted inflation of land, building materials and labor. This weak explanation doesn't reflect any sound reasoning as inflation never has run at that high of a rate. The Mayor's Select Committee for the 2016 Housing Levy has never publicly addressed any cost reduction analysis when defining the amount of the proposed Levy.
The City's Affordable Housing initiative will not go away if this Levy does not pass! The Seattle Housing Levy 2015 Report (page 15) states that Housing Levy funds make up only 10% of the affordable housing budget so we can sustain our current affordable housing investments while our City Leaders work to define a NEW SOLUTION that is more comprehensive and realistic in addressing the current problems the City is facing. The new policy needs to create an exit plan; a hand-up for individuals, not a hand-out from taxpayers. With the ever-increasing property taxes, we need to do our due diligence and ask ourselves if throwing more money at this program will really work.
The time is now to challenge our City Leadership to a comprehensive plan that brings together the City, Local Business, Non-Profits and Citizens to develop a solution that will benefit all, including the disappearing Middle Class.
Vote “NO” on this Levy and tell the City of Settle we need a NEW POLICY for TODAY that addresses CAUSES, not only symptoms of this large problem our City faces!
Submitted by:
Glenn Singer
Brianna McDonald
Rebuttal To Statement Against
Seattle's housing levy has a 35-year track record of SUCCESS creating affordable housing. This levy addresses today's urgent housing needs - producing housing near transit for seniors, people with disabilities and low-wage workers; preserving housing for residents threatened by rising rents; and funds supportive housing for our neighbors exiting homelessness - for just $5 more per month than the expiring levy.
Opponents' falsely claim Seattle can maintain its affordable housing initiatives without this levy. The levy is the cornerstone of Seattle's housing investments, giving Seattle an edge in attracting additional matching funds.
Prior levies results are strong and well documented, routinely exceeding goals set by voters. Rental production and preservation goals for this levy are 480 units MORE than the expiring levy. Accountability is built in with robust project monitoring and community oversight.
Safe, stable housing is a fundamental Seattle value. Vote YES on Proposition 1 this August, vote #YesForHomes!
Submitted by:
Ron Sims, former King County Executive
Kelly Rider, Housing Development Consortium of Seattle and King County
Gordon McHenry, Jr., Solid Ground
www.yesforhomes.com, info@yesforhomes.com