Seattle, Washington’s newly approved ‘Social Housing’ nobility may or may not be ruled by a Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Still imaginary, such a creature will also have a faithful sidekick – a Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
Will the pair embark upon epic but imaginary adventures in the spirit of legendary hero Don Quixote who, with his faithful servant Sancho Panza at his side, was inspired to do hopeless battle with windmills?
Seattle recently voted to carve a new form of publicly funded affordable housing in America’s social and political fabric. It promises be revenue neutral, the costs of its development, construction, management and maintenance to be covered entirely by its rents — never more than 30% of income. Its homes will be compellingly attractive not only to the poorest, but also the middle classes.
Such Nirvanas actually do exist elsewhere in the world. So how goes the battle to create such truly affordable housing in America? There is evidently a very long row to hoe, or perhaps more appropriately, there are many windmill-shaped giants yet to be defeated in battle.
In Seattle, the first battle is to find funding for its still imaginary heroes — the CEO and CFO. The promise and progress? So far, somewhat shaky. Read more at AXIOS SEATTLE: What’s next for Seattle’s social housing initiative, I-135
