As you're reading this paper, ballots are going out in the mail. Very soon, Seattle voters will have a chance to provide 1,850 more affordable homes for our most vulnerable neighbors. Seniors, people with disabilities, domestic violence survivors, veterans, and people who have been homeless will live in these homes, which will be affordable for at least 50 years. Renewing the Seattle Housing Levy by voting Yes on Proposition 1 is one of the most important things that people who care about homelessness and affordable housing can do this year.
Renewing the Housing Levy for another seven years would cost the typical Seattle homeowner a modest $65 a year, or $5.50 a month. Without this renewal, the current levy will expire, leaving us without local funds to invest in affordable housing. Seattle would certainly be unable to meet the needs of its most vulnerable residents for years to come.
Proposition 1 will raise $145 million over the next seven years to create or preserve housing that is high-quality and affordable over time. Seattle voters have supported the Housing Levy since 1981. Over the last 28 years, thousands of families and tens of thousands of people have experienced the safety and stability of a good place to live because of the Housing Levy.
Housing built through the levy helps real people. Sheila used to work at a steady job and rent a small house where she lived with her son. When she was struck by a debilitating illness, she was unable to work and couldn't pay her rent. With the help of the Housing Levy, she now has a safe place to live on Capitol Hill in an apartment built with levy funds. Sheila is undergoing medical treatment and her son can focus on school instead of moving from place to place.
Seniors also face a housing crisis, especially those living on fixed incomes. Eunice, a senior citizen, never thought she would need help with housing. But when she unexpectedly lost her job, she feared that she would become homeless. Because of the Housing Levy, she was able to move into Meridian Manor in Northgate, where she now lives with a community of seniors and enjoys painting and watching movies.
The Housing Levy helps people who are homeless get the care and services they need. Don, a veteran who honorably served our country, suffered from serious disabilities. Like far too many American service members, he spent years living on the streets. Don now lives in the Simons Seniors Apartments in Belltown, in his own home, with neighbors and a case manager to help him live independently. The Simons building, which houses many other formerly homeless seniors, was funded by our Housing Levy.
In response to advocacy by homelessness and affordable housing advocates, the Seattle City Council made important changes to the Housing Levy legislation to ensure that the money raised is dedicated to people with the lowest incomes. At least 60 percent of it will be used to house people who earn less than 30 percent of the median income. This means that the Housing Levy will help single people earning $17,700 a year or less. A family of four living on less than $25,000 per year would be eligible.
The Housing Levy will also prevent homelessness for over 3,000 families and individuals by providing rental assistance that helps people remain stable after a job loss, illness, or other setback.
Construction of levy-funded apartments creates hundreds of family-wage jobs and brings additional funds into our community. A small amount of funding provides loans to low-income first-time homebuyers from communities who have historically been shut out of homeownership. In South Seattle, nonprofits like Habitat for Humanity, HomeSight, and HomeStead Community Land Trust are revitalizing neighborhoods by providing mortgage counseling and home purchase assistance for low-income families.
Housing is a necessary part of ending homelessness. The Seattle Housing levy is the most important source of funding to create affordable housing for people with the lowest incomes and the most needs in our city. This fall, vote YES on Proposition 1, to renew the Housing Levy, and to create housing that builds strong families, strong neighborhoods, and a strong city.
The Yes For Homes campaign is working hard to make sure that the Housing Levy is renewed. You can help: spread the word, sign up to contact voters by phone or in person, or make a donation, large or small. To sign up to help, visit www.yesforhomes.org.