Since 1981, Seattle voters have approved one bond and three levies to create affordable housing. Seattle has now funded over 10,000 affordable apartments for seniors, low- and moderate-wage workers, and formerly homeless individuals and families, plus provided down-payment loans to more than 600 first-time homebuyers and rental assistance to more than 4,000 households.

Seattle Housing Levy Renewal
With the current Seattle Housing Levy due to expire in December 2009, the Office of Housing is planning for a levy renewal to be on the ballot in November 2009. See more...

Tell us what you think!
Have questions or comments about the Seattle Housing Levy? Please send an email to Housing_Levy@seattle.gov.

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2002 Seattle Housing Levy
In 2002, the voters of Seattle passed a seven-year, $86 million property tax levy to provide affordable housing opportunities for low-income Seattle residents.

Current Progress
As of December 2008, the end of the first six years of the 2002 Levy, all of the program goals established for the seven-year life of the Levy have been surpassed. See 2002 Levy progress to date.

Housing Levy Programs
The Housing Levy provides funds to create and preserve affordable housing through:

• Rental Preservation and Production
• Neighborhood Housing Opportunity Program
• Homebuyer Assistance
• Rental Assistance
• Operating and Maintenance Program

Oversight Committee
With the passage of the Levy voters also approved the establishment of an Oversight Committee, for the purpose of monitoring the progress of Levy programs and reporting to the Mayor and City Council on that progress.

A major responsibility of the Levy Oversight Committee is recommending policy changes to the Levy Administrative and Financial (A&F) Plan, which guides implementation of the five Levy-funded programs. See the Levy A&F Plan.

Housing Levy performance is reported on twice a year to the City Council by the Oversight Committee and the Office of Housing. See the 2008 Housing Levy Progress Report.

The 13 members of the Housing Levy Oversight Committee, all confirmed by City Council, are selected as follows:

• one (1) City employee appointed by the Mayor or his designee
• six (6) non-government employees appointed by the Mayor
• five (5) non-government employees appointed by City Council