News Release
For Immediate Release
June 16, 2026
FROM THE OFFICE OF: Councilmember Dionne Foster
CONTACT: Brad Harwood, Communications Director
206-798-7577 or brad.harwood@seattle.gov
City Council approves charter changes for Seattle Social Housing Developer
SEATTLE – Today the City Council passed a resolution sponsored by Councilmember Dionne Foster (Position 9) approving proposed amendments to the Seattle Social Housing Developer (SSHD) charter. The approved resolution is a binding change to the SSHD charter and is meant to enhance SSHD’s ability to accomplish its mission of developing, owning and maintaining social housing developments in the City of Seattle.
“This legislation gives our social housing developer the right tools to deliver on affordable housing for residents of our city. We know residents want the ability to access amenities like ground floor restaurants or childcare — the changes in this bill allow the developer to partner with other businesses or nonprofits to create more livable buildings without sacrificing affordability,” said Councilmember Foster. “These changes are for the developer — to address our housing crisis, and for future residents — to lower barriers to get into affordable housing and help them stay in those homes.”
SSHD charter amendments include:
- Allowing SSHD properties to be used as collateral for debt, an important tool for the SSHD to finance acquisitions and the construction of new developments.
- Allowing SSHD to create a condominium structure for property it develops, where SSHD retains the housing portion of the building but sells the commercial portion.
- Allowing for cross-subsidization of buildings within SSHD’s portfolio and the use of building revenue to support bond payments.
- Clarifying the definition of restorative justice, a type of conflict resolution in which residents must have opportunities to participate prior to an eviction.
Background
Creation of the Seattle Social Housing Developer (SSHD) was approved by voters in 2023. Changes to the SSHD charter can be recommended by the SSHD Board, however, City Council approval is needed to revise the charter.
What’s next
The legislation goes to the Mayor’s Officer for her signature.
Additional quotes
"I want to thank Councilmember Foster and her team for their tremendous help in ensuring the City Council's approval of these charter changes. SSHD is excited to put them to use by building social housing all over the city."
-Tiffani McCoy, Interim CEO of SSHD
“Seattle voters have made it clear that they want social housing to succeed in our city by overwhelmingly supporting it at the ballot, twice. These charter changes, arrived at through thoughtful community engagement and dialogue, ensure the SSHD is set up with the tools needed to deliver desperately needed permanently affordable social housing to residents throughout our city.”
- Jeff Paul, Interim Co-Executive Director of House Our Neighbors
About the City Council
The Seattle City Council is the elected legislative branch of the city’s government. It’s comprised of nine councilmembers serving four-year terms and representing more than 800,000 constituents — seven selected by districts and two through citywide positions. For the latest news and information, please visit seattle.gov/council.
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