Seattle

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Robert Marbut Discusses Seattle’s Homelessness Crisis on the John Curley Show

In Seattle, the number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness is on track to double in just the next three years. Robert Marbut appeared on KIRO Newsradio’s John Curley Show to discuss the policies that have exacerbated the crisis and the solutions available to the city and county. Discovery Institute released a report last November detailing our policy recommendations for the Read More ›

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As Region Faces Shortage, Seattle Needs to Preserve its Existing Housing 

According to a 2024 report on housing production from Up For Growth, the metro area encompassing Seattle, Tacoma, and Bellevue is facing a shortage of 71,060 homes. That amounts to 4.2% of the region’s total housing stock. While the production of new homes is vital to closing the gap between supply and demand, so is the preservation of existing housing, especially affordable housing. Read More ›
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Affordable Housing Owner Sues City of Seattle: Unpacking the Lawsuit

To understand why a privately-owned housing building is in default, facing over $40 million in liabilities, and “hemorrhaging money,” in an affluent west-coast city, we must look at a series of Seattle ordinances that, while well-intended, have heaped negative consequences on housing providers with compounding effects. Read More ›
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Washington Law Unfairly Keeps Prior Evictions Off Tenant Screenings

When it comes to tenant’s rights laws, good intentions don’t always lead to good or fair outcomes. One example is a Washington State law that allows tenants to keep their eviction from being disclosed to future housing providers. The state allows an order of limited dissemination (OLD) to be filed for eviction cases to prevent housing providers from denying tenants Read More ›

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Seattle Housing Providers Face Millions in Unpaid Rent

Affordable, subsidized housing in Seattle is in crisis. Several months ago, the City of Seattle announced $14 million in one-time funding intended to stabilize affordable housing providers. The Office of Housing received 24 applications requesting roughly $22 million. These 24 housing providers own and manage 10,200 affordable housing units across the city, and a public records request for their applications reveals just how dire the future of affordable housing in Seattle is. Read More ›