Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has announced the creation of a new Seattle Housing Production Task Force this week, bringing together housing leaders including the Washington Multi-Family Housing Association (WMFA), to recommend policy changes that can increase housing production and address barriers to investment.
“Seattle continues to face significant challenges in producing enough housing to meet demand. Washington Multi-Family Housing Association (WMFHA) believes the task force presents an opportunity to identify practical changes that can reduce barriers to new housing, improve the operating environment for existing rental homes, and restore confidence in Seattle as a place to invest in housing.
“We are cautiously optimistic about the creation of this task force and appreciate Mayor Wilson recognizing that Seattle needs to take a serious look at what is standing in the way of housing production,” said Nick Marin, CEO of WMFHA. “We need to focus on operational outcomes that make it possible to build, finance, and operate housing in Seattle. If we want more homes, Seattle must become a city where people are willing to invest in creating and maintaining them.”
The task force will examine some of the most consequential issues affecting housing development in Seattle, including Mandatory Housing Affordability, permitting, design review, affordable housing programs and other barriers to getting projects built.
Washington Multi-Family Housing Association Government Affairs Director Jake Mayson has been appointed to the task force and will represent the multifamily housing industry as these recommendations are developed.
WMFHA will advocate for practical policy changes that:
- Increase housing production
- Improve participation in affordability programs
- Reduce barriers to building and operating rental housing
- Restore confidence in Seattle as a place to invest in housing
Seattle needs more homes. WMFHA will be directly involved in the conversation about how to make that happen and will ensure the experience of our members is represented as the City develops its recommendations.
