On February 10, 2026, the Seattle City Council unanimously passed legislation to allocate revenue from Proposition 1A to the Seattle Social Housing Developer (SSHD). Proposition 1A, voter-approved in February 2025, levies a 5% tax on employer compensation exceeding $1 million annually, providing an ongoing funding stream for mixed-income, permanently affordable housing.12
Project Plans and Investments
The funding supports SSHD in developing, owning, leasing, and maintaining public housing assets. Plans include acquiring the first building to house hundreds of residents across income levels in 2026, repaying a prior $2 million bridge loan. This aligns with an additional $350 million in the 2026 budget for affordable housing, positioning the city for substantial investments.12
“This is a historic moment for housing affordability in Seattle. With today’s vote, we are fulfilling the will of the voters and making a major, ongoing investment in permanently affordable, publicly owned social housing,” said Councilmember Dan Strauss.1
Councilmember Dionne Foster emphasized the need: “Far too many families in Seattle are being priced out of the city they love because of the skyrocketing cost of housing.” Interim CEO Tiffani McCoy noted the funds will enable quick housing for hundreds.1
Professional Opportunities
The city's Finance and Administrative Services department applies Priority Hire agreements and apprenticeship rules to construction contracts over $5 million, targeting workers from economically distressed areas.3 As of February 2026, 2,118 construction jobs are listed in Seattle, reflecting demand for professionals in project management, engineering, and trades amid these initiatives.4
These policies and funding approvals ensure targeted employment on qualifying projects. Near-term, SSHD's first acquisition and broader housing builds will advance, with revenue enabling further large-scale developments and sustained workforce engagement.
The content of this article was computed by analyzing available sources.