Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA), part of the Mayor’s Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda (HALA), was discussed during the May RBCA annual meeting and during this week’s RBCA board meeting. On Tuesday, June 21 at 9:30 a.m., the City Council will hold a public hearing about MHA for residential development.
Under the MHA-R program, new multi-family residential development would be required to provide affordable units (performance) or make an in-lieu payment. The MHA-R program will be implemented as increases in residential development capacity are approved. Among other things, the proposed ordinance would:
· Establish the Council’s intent as to implementation of the MHA-R program;
· Establish the applicability of and exemptions from the program;
· Establish requirements for units provided through performance; and
· Establish procedures for seeking modifications to program requirements.
Written Comments may be sent to: Councilmember Rob Johnson, Legislative Department, 600 Fourth Avenue, Floor 2, P.O. Box 34025, Seattle, WA 98124-4025 or by email to rob.johnson@seattle.gov. Written comments should be received by Monday, June 20 at 12 p.m.
Electronic copies of the proposed ordinance are available through the Planning, Land Use and Zoning Committee’s webpage, http://www.seattle.gov/council/committees/planning-land-use-and-zoning.