Seattle, WA
Seattle Architects Unveil Designs for Social Housing Ahead of February Vote – The Urbanist
In support of their effort to build social housing in Seattle, the nonprofit House Our Neighbors recently released architectural designs for transforming a piece of surplus publicly-owned land in Northgate. In the vision, designed by Neiman Taber Architects, a row of townhomes, a block of family-sized apartments, and a wing of co-living efficiency studios are wrapped around a central courtyard.
While voters approved formation of the Seattle Social Housing Developer in 2023, the city has a special election on deck in February with dueling ballot measures to actually fund that public developer. House Our Neighbors put forward the grassroots Initiative 137 that will be on next February’s ballot as Proposition 1A, while the centrist majority on Seattle City Council proposed the reactionary alternative. Voters will be asked whether they want to fund social housing at all, and if yes, they’ll have to choose between one of the two options.
“For House Our Neighbors, [Neiman Taber Architects] designed a detailed proposal for this parcel as a proof-of-concept to expand our idea of what a brighter, more equitable future could actually look like,” House Our Neighbors wrote. “Their design shows what is possible when we put people over profit; A variety of unit types to suit all kinds of households — from students and working class people to elderly folks, people with mobility needs, and families with and without children and with ample communal space and an interior courtyard where the community can come together to socialize and support each other. All of it affordable. Forever.”
” data-medium-file=”https://www.theurbanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Social-Housing-cross-section-Northgate-Way-by-Neiman-Taber-300×220.jpeg” data-large-file=”https://i2.wp.com/www.theurbanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Social-Housing-cross-section-Northgate-Way-by-Neiman-Taber-1024×751.jpeg?ssl=1″ fifu-data-src=”https://i2.wp.com/www.theurbanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Social-Housing-cross-section-Northgate-Way-by-Neiman-Taber-1024×751.jpeg?ssl=1″ alt=”A cross section shows the guts of the building with captions noting the unit mix, which included 15 two- or three-bedroom apartments, four two-bedroom townhomes, and 16 co-living one-bedroom apartments.” class=”wp-image-187550″ srcset=”https://i2.wp.com/www.theurbanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Social-Housing-cross-section-Northgate-Way-by-Neiman-Taber-1024×751.jpeg?ssl=1 1024w, https://www.theurbanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Social-Housing-cross-section-Northgate-Way-by-Neiman-Taber-300×220.jpeg 300w, https://www.theurbanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Social-Housing-cross-section-Northgate-Way-by-Neiman-Taber-768×563.jpeg 768w, https://www.theurbanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Social-Housing-cross-section-Northgate-Way-by-Neiman-Taber-573×420.jpeg 573w, https://www.theurbanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Social-Housing-cross-section-Northgate-Way-by-Neiman-Taber-80×60.jpeg 80w, https://www.theurbanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Social-Housing-cross-section-Northgate-Way-by-Neiman-Taber-696×510.jpeg 696w, https://www.theurbanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Social-Housing-cross-section-Northgate-Way-by-Neiman-Taber-1068×783.jpeg 1068w, https://www.theurbanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Social-Housing-cross-section-Northgate-Way-by-Neiman-Taber.jpeg 1080w” sizes=”(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px”><figcaption class=)
The project envisioned on Northgate Way would create a central courtyard greenspace for socializing. (Neiman Taber Architects)House Our Neighbors Co-Executive Director Tiffani McCoy said more design examples are on the way, with a call out for architects to lay out their own visions for surplus City-owned parcels.
“This is all pro bono from these architecture firms, but we know from I-135 that architects are incredibly excited about social housing, not just because they would be able to actually afford to live in the city in which they work, because architects are often between 80 to 120% of AMI [area median income], but also, you know, they’re just so restricted in their craft,” McCoy told The Urbanist. “Their creativity is really lost a lot because we’re more focused on quantity over quality, which has its benefits. But especially working in typical affordable housing buildings, the focus is as many as you can with the amount of funding.”
” data-medium-file=”https://www.theurbanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/1319-N-Northgate-Way-Aerial-View-social-housing-by-Neiman-Taber-300×220.jpg” data-large-file=”https://i2.wp.com/www.theurbanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/1319-N-Northgate-Way-Aerial-View-social-housing-by-Neiman-Taber-1024×751.jpg?ssl=1″ fifu-data-src=”https://i2.wp.com/www.theurbanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/1319-N-Northgate-Way-Aerial-View-social-housing-by-Neiman-Taber-1024×751.jpg?ssl=1″ alt=”” class=”wp-image-187570″ srcset=”https://i2.wp.com/www.theurbanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/1319-N-Northgate-Way-Aerial-View-social-housing-by-Neiman-Taber-1024×751.jpg?ssl=1 1024w, https://www.theurbanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/1319-N-Northgate-Way-Aerial-View-social-housing-by-Neiman-Taber-300×220.jpg 300w, https://www.theurbanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/1319-N-Northgate-Way-Aerial-View-social-housing-by-Neiman-Taber-768×563.jpg 768w, https://www.theurbanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/1319-N-Northgate-Way-Aerial-View-social-housing-by-Neiman-Taber-573×420.jpg 573w, https://www.theurbanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/1319-N-Northgate-Way-Aerial-View-social-housing-by-Neiman-Taber-1145×840.jpg 1145w, https://www.theurbanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/1319-N-Northgate-Way-Aerial-View-social-housing-by-Neiman-Taber-80×60.jpg 80w, https://www.theurbanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/1319-N-Northgate-Way-Aerial-View-social-housing-by-Neiman-Taber-696×511.jpg 696w, https://www.theurbanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/1319-N-Northgate-Way-Aerial-View-social-housing-by-Neiman-Taber-1068×783.jpg 1068w, https://www.theurbanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/1319-N-Northgate-Way-Aerial-View-social-housing-by-Neiman-Taber.jpg 1280w” sizes=”(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px”><figcaption class=)
A rendering of the Northgate proposal show a brick townhome row and brick co-living building next to the larger building with family-sized apartments. The courtyard includes a playground and families playing or relaxing. (Neiman Taber)
The first social housing prototype came from the 2023 Seattle Design Festival with a submission by architects Jacqui Aiello and Anna Brodersen, McCoy said. The pair proposed a nine-unit apartment building with one ground-floor commercial space and a mix of unit sizes including two- and three-bedroom units. The roughly 4,000-square-foot lot being eyed was a surplus City-owned site at 1405 NE 65th Street in Roosevelt.
” data-medium-file=”https://www.theurbanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/PASSIVHAUS-JD-Roosvelt-Example-by-Jacqui-Aiello-and-Anna-Brodersen-300×194.jpg” data-large-file=”https://i2.wp.com/www.theurbanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/PASSIVHAUS-JD-Roosvelt-Example-by-Jacqui-Aiello-and-Anna-Brodersen-1024×663.jpg?ssl=1″ fifu-data-src=”https://i2.wp.com/www.theurbanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/PASSIVHAUS-JD-Roosvelt-Example-by-Jacqui-Aiello-and-Anna-Brodersen-1024×663.jpg?ssl=1″ alt=”” class=”wp-image-187564″ srcset=”https://i2.wp.com/www.theurbanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/PASSIVHAUS-JD-Roosvelt-Example-by-Jacqui-Aiello-and-Anna-Brodersen-1024×663.jpg?ssl=1 1024w, https://www.theurbanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/PASSIVHAUS-JD-Roosvelt-Example-by-Jacqui-Aiello-and-Anna-Brodersen-300×194.jpg 300w, https://www.theurbanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/PASSIVHAUS-JD-Roosvelt-Example-by-Jacqui-Aiello-and-Anna-Brodersen-768×497.jpg 768w, https://www.theurbanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/PASSIVHAUS-JD-Roosvelt-Example-by-Jacqui-Aiello-and-Anna-Brodersen-1536×994.jpg 1536w, https://www.theurbanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/PASSIVHAUS-JD-Roosvelt-Example-by-Jacqui-Aiello-and-Anna-Brodersen-649×420.jpg 649w, https://www.theurbanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/PASSIVHAUS-JD-Roosvelt-Example-by-Jacqui-Aiello-and-Anna-Brodersen-1298×840.jpg 1298w, https://www.theurbanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/PASSIVHAUS-JD-Roosvelt-Example-by-Jacqui-Aiello-and-Anna-Brodersen-696×450.jpg 696w, https://www.theurbanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/PASSIVHAUS-JD-Roosvelt-Example-by-Jacqui-Aiello-and-Anna-Brodersen-1392×901.jpg 1392w, https://www.theurbanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/PASSIVHAUS-JD-Roosvelt-Example-by-Jacqui-Aiello-and-Anna-Brodersen-1068×691.jpg 1068w, https://www.theurbanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/PASSIVHAUS-JD-Roosvelt-Example-by-Jacqui-Aiello-and-Anna-Brodersen-1920×1242.jpg 1920w, https://www.theurbanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/PASSIVHAUS-JD-Roosvelt-Example-by-Jacqui-Aiello-and-Anna-Brodersen.jpg 2000w” sizes=”(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px”><figcaption class=)
A diagram lays out the Passivhaus environmental standards of the project, which includes a greenscaping, white roof, cross ventilation, and high quality thermal insulation. (Neiman Taber)
As laid out in the charter for the Seattle Social Housing Developer, the Roosevelt building would be built to Passive House standards, which go above and beyond the energy efficiency and sustainability requirements of Seattle’s already rigorous code.
In addition to meeting very high environmental standards, social housing proponents are also hoping to design spaces that encourage socializing and social wellbeing. The courtyard space in the Northgate proposal seeks to foster those bonds, as does the rooftop and atrium in the Roosevelt proposal.
“You have these spaces that are designated to getting to know people, relationship-building community space,” McCoy said. “There’s this beautiful opportunity there to grow friends, maybe lifelong friends, that you wouldn’t have in a traditional apartment setting.”
House Our Neighbors is also planning to create a financial model, or “pro forma” in developer lingo, to go along with Neiman Taber’s architectural designs. That model would demonstrate the feasibility of actually turning the plan into a real-life building. Nonetheless, part of the value of the architectural plans is helping visualize for voters the work the Seattle Social Housing Developer would do — if they elect to fund it.
“We are just the ones creating the vision and showing people that this is what it looks like this is what could be in your neighborhood,” McCoy said. “People don’t know what this looks like. So that’s what we’re trying to do.”
Social housing advocates are confident of success in the upcoming February special election. McCoy did note that council added a wrinkle by putting a competing measure on the ballot, which will make it a two-part vote. House Our Neighbors is also expecting a more robust opposition campaign than in 2023, when there was no funding source involved.
“We’ll just have a little bit more education to do since the council put on their alternative, which isn’t social housing,” McCoy said. “It’s just getting people to recognize that you have to vote twice. You have to vote yes twice, not just one. You have to make sure to do [Prop] 1 and 1A.”
Nonetheless, recent results point toward likely success.
“Seattle has already showed us that they’re very, very strongly supportive of social housing. You’ve seen that with the 14-point win in February 2023. We’ve seen that again with over 38,000 people signing Initiative 137, now Proposition 1A,” McCoy said. “And we’ve seen overwhelmingly Washingtonians want to tax the wealthiest in our state in order to provide services that regular people need. I have no problem thinking that we will win resoundingly at the ballot.”
Doug Trumm is publisher of The Urbanist. An Urbanist writer since 2015, he dreams of pedestrianizing streets, blanketing the city in bus lanes, and unleashing a mass timber building spree to end the affordable housing shortage and avert our coming climate catastrophe. He graduated from the Evans School of Public Policy and Governance at the University of Washington in 2019. He lives in East Fremont and loves to explore the city on his bike.
SEATTLE – Western Washington is staying locked into a cool and unsettled weather pattern as we head into the second half of the week.
Showers will continue to rotate through the region over the next several days as a series of weather disturbances move overhead, keeping skies mostly cloudy and temperatures running below average for mid-May.
Thursday will bring a brief break in the action before the next weak system arrives later in the day. Expect scattered showers to redevelop with plenty of cloud cover sticking around. Temperatures will remain cool, with highs near 60 degrees.
It will be cool on Thursday in Western Washington with increasing clouds and showers. (FOX 13 Seattle)
What’s next:
The weather turns a bit more active Friday as the next system swings into the Pacific Northwest. Western Washington will see widespread showers and even the possibility of a few isolated thunderstorms. While not everyone will hear thunder, a few heavier downpours and small hail can’t be ruled out if any storms manage to develop during the afternoon.
Rain showers will push through Western Washington again on Friday afternoon. (FOX 13 Seattle)
Saturday will be cool with scattered showers and another chance for isolated thunderstorms, especially near the Cascades. Afternoon highs will struggle to make it out of the 50s across many lowland Puget Sound area communities.
Mountain travelers should also be prepared for a dramatic change compared to the recent warm spell. Much colder air will filter into the Cascades this weekend, and while significant snow accumulation looks unlikely, higher elevations could still see snow showers and sharply colder conditions. Anyone planning outdoor recreation in the mountains should be ready for winter-like weather at times.
Snow levels will drop to near pass levels in the Washington Cascades Friday through Sunday. (FOX 13 Seattle)
Looking Ahead:
The pattern finally begins to improve late in the weekend and into early next week. High pressure is expected to rebuild over the northeastern Pacific, bringing a return to drier weather and some sunshine. Temperatures should gradually rebound back into the 60s by Monday and Tuesday, although the ridge may remain weak enough to allow for occasional clouds at times.
Temperatures will be cool the next three days with showers in Seattle, but next week will be drier and warmer. (FOX 13 Seattle)
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The Source: Information in this story came from the FOX 13 Seattle Weather Team and the National Weather Service.
SEATTLE – Remember that iconic Gap advertisement with the girl group dancing to “My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard” that took the internet by storm in August?
What we know:
Katseye, the girl-group in the ad, are taking center stage at Climate Pledge Arena on Nov. 17, with ticket sales dropping on Thursday, May 21 and their new EP, Wild, is set to release on Aug. 14 via Hybe x Geffen Records.
The global girl group announced their WILDWORLD TOUR on Wednesday, bringing Katseye to arenas across Europe and North America this fall.
Katseye’s tour will kickoff in Dublin, Ireland on September 1, at Dublin’s 3Arena, while the North American portion of their tour launches Oct. 13 in Miami, Florida at Kaseya Center. Other honorable tour venue mentions include UBS Arena in Belmont Park, NY and Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
The WILDWORLD TOUR will conclude at Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City on Nov. 27.
Keep reading for ticket information and the full tour itinerary.
Ticket Information
What’s next:
Tickets will be available beginning at the end of May. Specifically, Weverse Artist Presale tickets will be available on Wednesday, May 20 at 11:00 a.m. local time, before the Katseye.World Presale at 3:00 p.m. local time.
General onsale begins Thursday, May 21 at 3:00 p.m. local time at www.katseye.world.
Tour itinerary
KATSEYE – WILDWORLD TOUR
UK/EU
9/1 – Dublin, Ireland – 3Arena
9/3 – London, UK – The O2
9/6 – Manchester, UK – Co-Op Live
9/9 – Paris, France – Accor Arena
9/11 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Ziggo Dome
9/13 – Cologne, Germany – Lanxess Arena
9/15 – Antwerp, Belgium – AFAS Dome
9/17 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Royal Arena
North America
10/13 – Miami, FL – Kaseya Center
10/15 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
10/20 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center
10/22 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena
10/24 – Belmont Park, NY – UBS Arena
10/28 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
10/30 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
11/1 – Hamilton, ON – TD Coliseum
11/3 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
11/5 – Chicago, IL – United Center
11/7 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Center
11/10 – Austin, TX – Moody Center
11/11 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
11/14 – Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand Garden Arena
11/17 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
11/19 – Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena
11/21 – Los Angeles, CA – Crypto.com Arena
11/24 – Phoenix, AZ – Mortgage Matchup Center
11/27 – Mexico City, MX – Palacio de los Deportes
2026 Festival Dates
6/5 – New York, NY – The Governors Ball Music Festival
7/30 – Saint Charles, IA – Hinterland Music Festival
8/8 – Pasadena, CA – 88rising Festival: Head In The Clouds
The Source: Information in this story came from a press release from Katseye and the katseye.world website.
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SEATTLE – An upper level low will increase showers and isolated storms overnight. Some storms that develop could produce locally heavy rain, thunder and lightning along with gusty winds. The best chance will be along and east of the I-5 corridor. Scattered showers will be possible during the day. There is also a chance for a light dusting of snow in the higher mountains.
Upper level low will increase showers and isolated storms overnight with scattered showers possible during the day. (FOX13 Seattle)
Wind Advisory in Eastern Washington
As the disturbance crosses through the region, winds will be especially gusty in Central and Eastern Washington. A Wind Advisory will be in effect for many of these locations through late Wednesday night.
Winds will be picking up on Wednesday with gusts nearing 50 mph. (FOX13 Seattle)
What’s next:
After warming into the low 80s on Tuesday, Wednesday will feel quite a bit different. Afternoon highs will only be in the upper 50s and low 60s, a good 20 degrees cooler than just 24 hours ago.
Afternoon highs will be significantly cooler on Wednesday.
Looking Ahead:
Even after Wednesday’s early morning rain, the rest of the week will remain unsettled. Additional chances for showers and cooler into the weekend. We will again near 70 degrees by early next week.
Cooler and wet for Wednesday with additional showers possible this week.
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How to get tickets for Journey’s new Seattle concert date at Climate Pledge Arena
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To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.
Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
The Source: Information in this story came from the FOX 13 Seattle Weather Team and the National Weather Service.
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