Seattle Housing Authority wants your opinion on $ priorities

Most of the Seattle Housing Authority‘s budget comes from government funding, which means it’s your money, so even if you don’t live at an SHA property or have any other direct relationship with the agency, they’re looking for your opinion on how it should be spent. SHA asked us to let you know about its 2020 Budget Survey, open to all. Its questions are wide-ranging, including this one:

Please tell us where you think SHA should focus investments in creating more affordable housing. You may select more than one option.

-Focus on affordable housing for very-low-income households below 50% Area Median Income.
(Examples: 1 person household earning less than $38,750; 2 person household earning less than $44,300; 4 person household earning less than $55,350.)

-Focus on affordable workforce housing for low-income households between 60% and 80% Area Median Income.
(Examples: 1 person household earning between $46,500 and $62,000; 2 person household earning between $53,160 and $70,880; 4 person household earning between $66,420 and $88,560.)

-Donate funds to non-profits to provide more affordable housing with intensive services for homeless households.

The survey is linked here, in English as well as in Amharic, Chinese (traditional/Cantonese), Oromo, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tigrinya, and Vietnamese. SHA is sending it to all of its residents and voucher holders but stresses “the general public’s input is welcome too.” It’s open for two more weeks (through July 15th).

Trickycoolj July 1, 2019 (4:33 pm)

Perhaps they should also distribute it to the stakeholders who bought into their redevelopments.

Joan July 1, 2019 (4:48 pm)

I’m amazed at the income levels for very low and low-income, for a single person. Those seem like pretty average incomes, as far as my experience. That’s the nonprofit sector for you!

Swede. July 1, 2019 (9:56 pm)

No that’s the ‘always profit’ sector for you. Those numbers (as explained in the text…) are based on a percentage of the median salary in Seattle. In other words if you make what you feel is ‘pretty average’ income you only really make 60% – 80% of all the tech workers. And can’t afford the median rent, and definitely not an average priced house!

MJ July 1, 2019 (6:03 pm)

My son earns about $45k and is paying market rate rent for a one bed room apartment in DT Seattle. I’m with Joan the income thresholds seam pretty typical for many people not sure why taxpayers are subsidizing people making typical income.

Will S. July 1, 2019 (11:00 pm)

Your son is not typical, and neither is a downtown apartment at $1,125 per month (which is the price at which a household with a $45,000 income would become rent-burdened). In 2017, the median income of married couples with children in Seattle was $161,000. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/data/what-is-middle-class-in-seattle-families-now-earn-median-of-121000/

WS Guy July 1, 2019 (6:24 pm)

My opinion is to shut down the SHA. My priority for the $ is to give it back to the taxpayers.

Erithan July 1, 2019 (6:45 pm)

I’d just like them to be held accountable for abuse toward residents… I’ve been a victem in both low income and market when I was living with my father briefly. Have this issue in just hud housing too at the moment. :/Are they also ignoring senior and disabled who get maybe 12k a year max?

Jort July 1, 2019 (6:46 pm)

How about “don’t use brand new, prime streetfront retail-zoned property for your administrative office space? That’s a pretty simple concept.

DARNELL N HIBBLER July 1, 2019 (7:59 pm)

Amen
KM July 1, 2019 (9:42 pm)

Word.
Ice July 2, 2019 (8:36 am)

yeah

Chris July 1, 2019 (7:27 pm)

Yikes, I did not know I was very low income according to this! Always seem to make ends meet without any help. I know there are others that really do need the help.I wish there was a way to really crack down on those that abuse the system and do take away money that is needed by others.

Airwolf July 2, 2019 (8:44 am)

Thanks WSB for the information. Otherwise I would not know about it. I will voice my opinion via the survey

MJ July 2, 2019 (9:29 am)

Will S my son lives frugally, diligently pays his student loan debt without government assistance. I expect others to do the same! Taxes are a huge burden on the middle class and need to be reigned in.

Will S. July 2, 2019 (11:37 am)

Look, your son is great. It’s great that he uses his earnings to pay his student loan debt. It’s great that his student loans were originated by the federal government at an interest rate set by the federal government and that the federal government subsidized some of his loans by paying interest while he finished school. And when the federal government subsidizes the cost of housing for renters who otherwise would be priced out of decent housing this city, it’s great both for the renters receiving assistance and for people of modest means (like your son) who face less competition for affordable housing in desirable places.

Sorry, comment time is over.