| Elana
Dix, the Community Organizer for SAGE, is excited about
the future. SAGE—formally known as the Seattle Alliance
for Good Jobs and Housing for Everyone—recently
moved into a spacious office in the International District
and plans to double its staff to four employees by the
end of the year. The organization works to make local
growth and development accountable to low-wage workers
by advocating for living wage jobs and a better quality
of life.
"We're in the midst of a lot growth for the organization,"
Dix says. "It really increases our capacity and the
amount and depth of projects we can take on." Last
year, the organization fought for rules that require developers
to contribute to a fund for affordable housing in exchange
for the city allowing taller and denser buildings downtown.
SAGE is currently working with the Dearborn St. Coalition
for a Livable Neighborhood to ensure a neighborhood-friendly
development takes place for the retail center proposed
on the site of Goodwill Industries on Dearborn St. and
Rainier Ave. S. The groups aim to negotiate a community
benefits agreement with the developer. The developer would
enter into the agreement to provide community benefits
in exchange for the coalition's support of the project
as it goes through the permitting process, according to
Dix.
"It gives folks a voice to negotiate," Dix says.
"If you're going to come in and make a profit and
cause us traffic and pollution and affect the level of
wages and affordability of housing in this area, we want
to benefit, too." Dix says the overall goal is to
change the way development is done in this area.
"People of all income levels should benefit from
this prosperity and growth, and that is definitely not
the case right now," Dix says. "We all deserve
a voice in shaping the urban landscape."
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