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Public commenters urge audit of rent increases and back Mount Baker affordable-housing and early-learning project
Summary
During public comment, a speaker asked the committee to audit rent increases in city-funded affordable housing projects since 2023, citing a project that shifted covenants to allow roughly 4% annual increases (about 35% over three years). Other commenters, representing an early-learning campus and a community organization, urged support for the Mount Baker redevelopment at 2929 27th Ave S that will include 241 homes and a UW early-learning campus.
At the committee’s public-comment opening, four remote speakers addressed items on the agenda.
Daniel (identified only by his first name) asked the committee to audit rent increases across the city-funded housing portfolio since 2023, publish project operating budgets and open-data audits, and verify compliance with land covenants. He said one project’s covenant tied rent increases to operating-cost shares but later changed to allow about 4% annual increases, which he characterized as roughly 35% over three years, and he urged that project budgets and audits be published.
Nick (who identified himself as director of relations for the Reindeer Valley Early Learning Campus and a member of the University of Washington College of Education) spoke in support of Counsel Bill 121236 and of locating an early-learning hub at 2929 27th Ave S, saying the partnership with the University would provide hands-on training, research opportunities and clinical services in the building’s ground-floor space.
Estella Ortega (who identified herself as an executive director) also spoke in support of Bill 121236 and described a partnership with Mercy Housing to deliver 241 affordable homes, emphasize larger family-sized units, and provide 35,000 square feet of early-learning and childcare space partnered with the University of Washington.
A fourth commenter, Alberto, urged the council not to curtail public criticism of elected officials and asked that rules limiting public speech be removed.
These public comments preceded committee discussion and votes on the Mount Baker project and other Office of Housing items.
