Amazon invests $23M to build 568 homes in Seattle as part of affordable housing initiative – GeekWire

Amazon is investing $23 million to guidance the building of 568 residences in Seattle as element of its Housing Equity Fund to develop or maintain housing for average- to very low-cash flow earners.

The $2 billion fund, announced final yr, aims to create 20,000 affordable houses in Nashville, and the Seattle and Arlington, Va. regions, locations where by the organization has a big presence and money disparities are expanding.

The recently-allotted funding will go to authentic estate advancement organizations led by Black, Hispanic, and Asian folks, and are the first in Seattle to be supported by the Housing Fairness Fund. Significantly of the housing will be located in the vicinity of gentle rail stations in Southeast Seattle, which has a higher percentage of lower-profits men and women.

“In supporting these initiatives, we are focusing on fairness by not only increasing accessibility to reasonably priced housing but also staying intentional about whom we choose as growth companions,” explained Catherine Buell, director of the fund, in a assertion Thursday asserting the new jobs. “Diverse views are necessary to enable generate truly inclusive and flourishing communities.”

The announcement arrives as the price tag to personal or rent in the Seattle location carries on growing — as do tech salaries, which are creating problem that the housing price tendencies will carry on. In February, Amazon doubled most spend to $350,000 for corporate and tech workers. Microsoft also not long ago boosted salaries to catch the attention of and retain personnel.  

The median sale price tag for Seattle houses was up 7.9% in Could, to $890,000, in accordance to Redfin. The total median rent in Seattle currently is $1,745, up additional than 14% from $1,531 one 12 months in the past, in accordance to Condominium Record.

Microsoft has also dedicated to addressing the inexpensive housing disaster, pledging $750 million to efforts in the greater Seattle spot the enterprise has preserved or created 9,200 reasonably priced housing units in the location given that 2019.

The new Amazon tasks carry its fund’s dedication to extra than $360 million and 3,400 residences in the Seattle place. These commitments include things like new housing earlier slated for locations in close proximity to light rail stations in North Seattle and by Seatac airport.

Here’s additional information about the new prepared developments.

• Amazon is doing the job with three housing companions: the Black-owned development organization Gardner World wide and two nonprofit group organizations, the Mount Baker Housing Authority and El Centro de la Raza.

• One particular undertaking, Grand Street Commons, will produce 204 new condominium units near the potential Judkins Park gentle rail station. The challenge, slated for completion by summer season 2024, is made to be affordable to tenants at or beneath 60% of location median money. Folks of shade are about 68% of the neighborhood’s inhabitants, according to Amazon.
• Other projects will develop 87 models in Columbia Metropolis, 122 units at the website of a former African American Baptist Church, and 155 units in the vicinity of the Mount Baker light-weight rail station.