The next mayor will confront unaffordable rents, and homeless people living in tents.
Today candidate Jenny Durkan promised progress immediately after she takes office.
“For those people who are struggling right now and need help, we're going to provide rent vouchers.”
She says they'll go to low-income households that don't have preference on the Seattle Housing Authority waiting list.
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Durkan says she'll clear that list of 350 people by her second week of office at a cost of $2 million. And she'll roll out a full voucher program serving 23,000 households at a cost of $60 million.
Asked if she could truly clear that wait list, Durkan responded, “There's about 363 people who've been on that waiting list who have no preference. We can clear that list within the first week or two.”
Durkan wants more micro houses to provide safer temporary houses for the homeless. She promises to build 1,000 more in her first year as mayor.
Mayoral candidate Cary Moon told us she’s been talking housing affordability for over a year, and highlighting her housing plans since the beginning of the race in April.
“I think we can spend the first three months of my administration really talking about what are the fastest ways to build more low barrier shelters and more sanctioned encampments and tiny house villages and RV parks going right now.
Durkan believes economic growth will pay for her plan.
“You know we have some big projects coming on line like Convention Square and Rainer Square that are going to generate a whole bunch of revenues for the city of Seattle. I think we've got to use those revenues to help people today.”
Durkan says she has already talked with City Council members about the plan. The council has already begun work on next year’s budget.
Cox Media Group
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