Seattle's 'JumpStart' Tax Funds 17 Affordable Housing Projects

SEATTLE — Revenue from Seattle's "JumpStart" payroll tax is funding the creation and preservation of nearly 1,800 units of affordable housing across 17 projects in several neighborhoods, city officials announced Thursday.

"By creating a sustainable, ongoing revenue source, JumpStart will enable us to continue building out the affordable housing pipeline our community so desperately needs," said Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, the council's budget chair. "These projects are more than just units —they're investments into health, stability, opportunity and community, and they will have a positive impact in our community for generations to come. This is a win for progressive revenue, and it’s a win for our community."

The council passed the new tax in 2020, earmarking two-thirds of the funds for affordable housing, and on Thursday unveiled the first batch of investments to build and preserve hundreds of homes for low-income families and people experiencing homelessness. The projects received nearly $80 million from the tax, with another $11.5 million set aside for cost fluctuations and $5.75 million for awards to support "permanently affordable home ownership."

The tax revenue also funds economic resiliency efforts and "Green New Deal" projects.

Of the 17 housing projects, all but four are new developments, with each building offering between 52 and 221 units. The remaining projects will preserve four existing affordable housing facilities. The new housing projects will be overseen by a variety of community organizations, including El Centro de la Raza, the Low Income Housing Institute, and the Chief Seattle Club.