In the last five years, Seattle rents have increased 35% and the homeless population has approached 3,000. “We are facing our worst housing affordability crisis in decades,” says Mayor Murray. “My vision is a city where people who work in Seattle can afford to live here… Together, HALA will take us there.” HALA, the Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda, is a set of strategies intended to address this crisis from all sides. The City is relying on public input to move these strategies from ideas to reality, and would love to hear your input.
You may wonder, what does this have to do with transportation? Housing and transportation are two sides of the same coin. Where housing is dense, transportation needs are greatest. The City of Seattle is experiencing unprecedented growth and is working hard to ensure that housing and transportation can keep up. To create a road map that addresses the diverse needs of Seattle, we are seeking your input to shape how growth occurs, how transportation options serve our neighborhoods, and how our city will look in the future.
The HALA Team has created a new online conversation called “Consider it” where you and your neighbors can engage in dialogue around the City’s HALA proposals. When you go to the site, you’ll see a list of topics, proposals, and community comments. If you want to join the conversation, you’ll be prompted to create an easy log-in. New ideas will continue to be added to the site, so be sure to check back in periodically. The City is committed to listening to our community and using your feedback to shape the policies and practices designed to make our city more affordable and livable.
Community member comments from a HALA Open House
meeting in November 2015.
This is civic engagement at work—join the conversation!