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Seattle Office of Housing briefs council committee on funding pressures and housing‑cost disparities
Summary
Office of Housing staff told the Housing, Arts and Civil Rights Committee that recent NOFA awards and short‑term stabilization funding helped projects, but long‑term operating funding risks — including a possible 40% cut to federal Continuum of Care funds — could create an estimated $19 million shortfall for Seattle and increase pressure on local levy and payroll‑expense resources.
The Seattle Office of Housing outlined on Feb. 14 the city’s priorities for 2026 and warned committee members of mounting operating and funding risks that threaten the stability of locally funded affordable and supportive housing.
Kelly Larson, director of policy and planning, and Rosie Jo, director of capital investments, told the Housing, Arts and Civil Rights Committee that the office’s 2025 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) awarded $155,000,000 to support more than 2,000 apartments and that the majority of levy and payroll‑expense‑tax funds are dedicated to production and preservation.
"The office strives to achieve this vision by investing in community partners to create affordable housing," Larson said, summarizing the office’s work to build and preserve homes while funding services that keep supportive housing operating.
Larson and Rosie Jo said the office has used short‑term stabilization tools…
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