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Committee advances plan to acquire Montlake site for permanently affordable homeownership, authorizes up-to $6.05M purchase
Summary
The committee recommended adoption of Counsel Bill 121237, which would authorize the Office of Housing to acquire a Montlake site and run an RFP to deliver 50 or more permanently affordable for-sale homes. Presenters said the legislation authorizes purchase for no more than $6,050,000 and referenced a prior $50,000 state appropriation to support acquisition; the committee voted 3–0 to send the bill to full Council.
The Housing, Arts and Civil Rights Committee on June 24 recommended adoption of Counsel Bill 121237, which places acquired Montlake property under the jurisdiction of the Seattle Office of Housing and authorizes issuance of a request for proposals to select a developer for a permanently affordable homeownership project.
Interim Director Andrea Akita told the committee the legislation authorizes Office of Housing to purchase the Montlake site for no more than $6,050,000. Presenters also said a $50,000 state appropriation was provided to support the acquisition and that the Office of Housing expects to close on the purchase in the fall, then issue a competitive RFP in early 2027 to select a stewardship organization and developer to deliver at least 50 permanently affordable homes with long-term resale restrictions.
Office of Housing staff described household-eligibility targets (initial buyers at or below 80% of area median income, with some homes targeted to 60–65% AMI), affordability stewardship of at least 50 years (with preference for longer-term stewardship), priorities for family-sized units, pollution mitigation strategies such as triple-pane windows and high-efficiency HVAC, and encouragement of ground-floor commercial uses where feasible.
Committee members moved and seconded the recommendation and recorded three votes in favor and none opposed. The committee forwarded the recommendation to the June 30, 2026 City Council meeting.
Next steps: OH expects to finalize acquisition and issue an RFP in early 2027; the RFP will prioritize family-sized units and neighborhood-serving amenities.
