SEATTLE — Nearly a billion dollars is at stake for renters and affordable housing in Washington state. The money is in President Biden’s Build Back Better plan now before Congress.
There are thousands of places to rent in Seattle - but not nearly enough apartments that working class families can afford.
Sen. Patty Murray is pushing to pass the solution in President Biden’s Build Back Better plan.
Tweeting that “The #BuildBackBetter framework provides immediate rent relief while also increasing the supply of safe, affordable housing.”
Nearly half a million renters in Washington state spend more than 30% of their income on rent, while homeownership remains out of reach for many families. The #BuildBackBetter framework provides immediate rent relief while also increasing the supply of safe, affordable housing.
— Senator Patty Murray (@PattyMurray) November 8, 2021
“I became homeless after I came to Seattle because of domestic violence, it’s pretty common. And then I became homeless again when I got hit by a car and lost my job,” said Arianna Laureano.
KIRO 7 met her in the University District where she has finally found an apartment she can afford with a roommate.
The Build Back Better plan includes $500 million for rental assistance vouchers and $338 million, for affordable housing construction.
“That would be really good. 70% of the people who are unhoused in our city have a disability. You know a disability check is only $800,” said Arianna Laureano.
“We were in a housing crisis in Washington, long before the pandemics,” said Rachael Myers, the executive director of the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance.
Myers says the Build Back Better plan would help 6,200 Households and a total of 13,000 people in Washington state.
“We need people to have access to rental assistance, in the immediate term. And we need to build and expand our affordable housing stock for the lowest income households. and that’s the longer-term solution.”
Solutions Arianna Laureano is hoping Congress will pass very soon. Asked if she ever felt hopeless, she responded, “All the time. I’m blessed. I’m one of the few that are blessed.”
It will take every Democratic vote in the Senate and almost every Democratic vote in the House to pass they plan. A vote could come as early as next week.
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