Dear friends and neighbors,

The state’s new capital budget includes hundreds of new investments to build and improve public spaces around the state. Reflecting our priority to increase the supply of affordable housing, the budget includes over $770 million in new funding for housing projects around the state.  Thanks to strong community advocacy, several projects in the 43rd district received support this year. I am grateful to my seatmates, Reps. Nicole Macri and Shaun Scott, for the close collaboration to secure funding for these important projects.

Local community projects

Projects funded in the new budget include large affordable housing projects and community spaces where we learn and connect. Below are some highlights:

  • $8 million to support Bellwether Housing’s Sunbreak Tower project, a mixed-income high-rise that will provide affordable rental housing for workers and families near the UW campus and light rail and other public transit. (Rendering pictured above right.)
  • $7 million for the Low Income Housing Institute to create an affordable housing project next to Sound Transit’s U District Station that will include 160 affordable units. The project will also include common space for residents, retail space, and an “Urban Rest Stop” with public restrooms. (Rendering pictured above left.)
  • $3.4 million to support YouthCare’s Constellation Center to provide services for young people to build future paths forward in a stable environment.
  • $1.8 million to support The Point at Thomas, a 70-unit affordable housing community in the heart of Capitol Hill.
  • $1 million for Uplift NW to guide people of their path to self-sufficiency by providing employment opportunities and job readiness services through the renovation and updating of their training facilities in Belltown.
  • $1 million to support the Scargo-Lewiston permanent supportive housing project by Plymouth Housing Group.
  • $900,000 to transform the Arboretum into a more welcoming place by improving accessibility and safety for visitors and adding new directional and educational signage at all main entrances.
  • $103,000 for dock improvements at the Center for Wooden Boats.
  • $878,000 for improvements to Benaroya Hall.
  • $878,000 to support the completion of Seattle Aquarium’s Ocean Pavilion.
  • $309,000 to help build the FareStart barista and customer service job training classroom.
  • $270,000 for improvements at the Paramount Theatre.

I look forward to watching these infrastructure improvements take shape and make a difference in our community in the coming months and years.

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter. If you missed my newsletters on  public education or housing, they are available on my website. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any questions at Jamie.Pedersen@leg.wa.gov.

Best wishes,

Jamie