SDOT’s Seattle Housing Authority Transit Pass Program receives major award for community impact from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials
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At-a-glance:
- Thanks to the voter-approved Seattle Transit Measure, we’ve partnered with the Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) to provide free ORCA cards to over 10,000 residents of SHA owned and managed properties in Seattle.
- This innovative transit access program has won a national award for community innovation!
- The program received the 2025 National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) Community Innovation Merit Award for its meaningful impact on people’s lives.
- Access to free ORCA cards provides residents with reliable, convenient, affordable transportation options to meet their needs.
- Residents can use the ORCA cards to get to things like medical appointments, other essential services, and community destinations more independently and at a lower cost.
- This partnership is the first in the country to provide free transit access to a large group of public housing authority residents.
- We are grateful to our partners at SHA and hope to inspire other local governments to pursue similar partnerships in the future!
Thanks to the voter-approved Seattle Transit Measure, we’ve partnered with the Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) to provide free ORCA cards to SHA residents. This program has won a national award for community innovation!
Key definitions: The Seattle Housing Authority provides subsidized rental housing and rental assistance to people in Seattle with low incomes. ORCA cards help people ride all types of transit in Seattle and the Puget Sound region, allowing folks to more reliably get where they need to go.
Recognizing in part that low-income households use the bus system at higher rates, the SHA Transit Pass program began as a pilot in 2019. At that time, we provided 1,500 free, unlimited ORCA cards to SHA residents at 28 properties. Transit ridership consistently increased once residents were riding transit for free, so we expanded the program in 2023 thanks to funding from the voter-approved Seattle Transit Measure.
The program now serves all adults who live at the over 100 SHA properties through 2026. Currently, over 10,000 residents are eligible for the program. In addition, anyone 18 or younger may already ride transit for free in Washington State, and can get their own Youth ORCA card.
Access to free ORCA cards provides residents with reliable, convenient, affordable transportation options to meet their needs, from medical appointments to essential services.
Words from program participants
“My family has never been on a train (any rails), ferry, let alone a streetcar, and have never seen so many different forms of transportation! Not only do we want to discover where and what different places can be discovered, but my goal is to ride every King County Metro Transit bus, etc. so that we can see and explore the locations of where the transportation begins, ends, and where they go.” – Seattle Housing Authority resident
“The free ORCA card will allow me to go doctor appointments, shopping, school, and training programs without worrying about how I will get there. Thank you for this ORCA program. You will be helping many people who are thankful and grateful for the program.” – Seattle Housing Authority resident
“This program has been a huge impact. I use the card at least 3-4 times a day so it is a huge budget saver. I use the card everywhere; doctor’s appointments, grocery store, shopping, walking the dog, and going to the park.” – Seattle Housing Authority resident
Quick stats:
- During the pilot phase of this program, 91% of people surveyed who received a free unlimited ORCA card were taking transit more often
- Participants reported saving money, having less stress, exploring new places and getting to work and to appointments on time
- In 2024 alone, SHA residents participating in this program took 1,256,261 rides
The SHA Transit Pass program won the 2025 National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) Community Innovation Merit Award for its meaningful impact on people’s lives.
To win the award, we were scored based on several categories including:
- The success of the program, such as how many people were served
- Innovation, such as if it offers a unique solution and creatively addresses a challenge
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion, such as addressing economic stability, education, health, or environmental sustainability
This partnership between a major affordable housing program and a public agency supporting greater access to public transit is the first of its kind in the country.
When programs receive national recognition like this, it can help set an example for other local governments. These agencies can consider implementing similar programs to benefit their own communities.
Thank you to our partners at Seattle Housing Authority! We hope to inspire other local governments to pursue similar partnerships in the future.
Read more on the SHA Transit Pass Program website.
What people are saying
“Serving our residents with better access to transit is a direct, tangible way the City can improve lives and connect people with opportunities. We greatly appreciate this national award which recognizes the work that’s gone into launching and expanding this program in recent years. It’s a close partnership with Seattle Housing Authority that embodies our collaborative One Seattle approach and our commitment to affordability. We hope this program will serve as a prototype for cities across the country moving forward.” – Mayor Bruce Harrell
“This program is a beacon of hope for so many people who call Seattle Housing Authority properties home. Together, we are bringing greater access to transit and the ability to reach Seattle’s many destinations. Winning this award is a wonderful recognition of what we can do when we come together, listen to our communities, and equitably serve them with care.” – SDOT Interim Director Adiam Emery
“For people already managing tight budgets, getting to work, school, medical care and the grocery store can be an incredible burden. Partnering with Seattle Department of Transportation to provide transit passes to Seattle Housing Authority residents truly makes a difference in the lives of our residents. Since the program began, more than 6,000 SHA residents have been able to travel more freely. The Transit Pass program is a powerful investment in our communities, making it easier for people to work, live and thrive in Seattle.” – Seattle Housing Authority Executive Director Rod Brandon