News Release
SEATTLE (July 6, 2017) – Today the Seattle Office
of Planning and Community Development (OPCD) extended the public comment
period until August 7 on the Draft
Environmental Impact Statement that studies three alternatives for zoning
changes needed to implement Mandatory
Housing Affordability (MHA) in Seattle’s urban villages and other
commercial and multifamily residential zones across the city.
“Due to a high volume of requests, both online and at a
recent public hearing, we are extending the written comment period on this
environmental study an additional 15 days,” said OPCD Director Sam Assefa.
“While there is broad agreement on the need for more affordable housing across
Seattle, these documents are lengthy and complex, and we want to honor these
requests for more time for public review.”
The public can provide feedback on the environmental study
using this online
form or by e-mailing MHA.EIS@Seattle.gov.
MHA helps ensure that as Seattle grows, development supports
affordable housing for low-income families and individuals by either building
rent-restricted homes on-site or making a payment to the Seattle Office of
Housing fund for affordable housing. To implement MHA, the City would grant
additional development capacity to allow for construction of more market-rate
housing and commercial space.
The City Council has already enacted MHA in Downtown, South
Lake Union, and the University District. This study evaluates implementing MHA
in 27 other urban villages throughout the city.
MHA was a key recommendation
of the Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda (HALA) Advisory Committee.
